Joe Schmidt admits Ireland are short on experience and they cannot 'suddenly replace' the world-class talent of the three British & Irish Lions that will miss their Six Nations clash with Wales on Saturday.
The head coach said Tadhg Furlong and Iain Henderson were both close to making the side but were not risked with an eye on games against Scotland and England to come. Meanwhile Robbie Henshaw was ruled out of the rest of the tournament with a shoulder injured.
That will see the inexperienced trio of Andrew Porter, James Ryan and Chris Farrell, with a combined 11 appearances between them, come into the side as Ireland look to continue their unbeaten start to the championship.
"They are world-class players," said Schmidt of the missing trio. "You don't suddenly replace world-class players. We are a lot more focused on what we do have. What we do have is Andrew Porter who is a really promising young player who we are excited about.
"James Ryan likewise. Chris Farrell, I have been talking to for three or four years and he has been a long-term project. I thought he did really well against Argentina in only his second test."
The Wales team sees the return of three Lions in Dan Biggar, Leigh Halfpenny and Liam Williams and Schmidt acknowledged there is no better setting for Porter, Ryan and Farrell to learn.
"Yeah we are short on experience and we are up against a team that are welcoming back three Lions while we see three disappear. Yes, that is not ideal but at the same time if you want to learn what better environment in what will be a really white hot atmosphere in the Aviva on Saturday."