Coaching the Lions is the ultimate honour, but Ireland's recent form has made them a victim of their own success
The Irish had their hopes of an unprecedented hat-trick of Guinness Six Nations titles jolted by the 27-42 loss that sent them tumbling from first to third place on the table after four rounds.
Ireland have confirmed that Tadhg Furlong, Garry Ringrose and Mack Hansen are set to return for their final match of the Guinness Six Nations against Italy in Rome on Saturday.
The defending champions came away from Cardiff with a hard-fought 27-18 success that has them leading the way at the top of the table on 14 points, three clear of the second-place French.
Ireland player ratings: Unbackable favourites Ireland were well and truly humbled, even if they ultimately did scrape and scrap to an incredibly hard-fought 24-18 win at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Ireland will clinch the Triple Crown if they beat Wales in Cardiff..
Tadhg Beirne moves into the second row and Ryan Baird gets a rare international start.