Listen to the full chat via the Wednesday Night Rugby podcast.

The Six Nations draws ever closer and today the 2014 competition was launched in London.

Our resident Wednesday Night Rugby pundit Gerry Thornley was in attendance but he was back in time to join Trevor Hogan for our analysis of Joe Schmidt's squad.

We asked the lads to tell us who they expect to form the starting XV for the opening game against Scotland on February 2nd.

Back Three

With Rob Kearney "nailed on" at 15, Joe Schmidt has choices to make on the wings. As Tommy Bowe will not return until Game 3 in Twickenham, that leaves Fergus McFadden, Dave Kearney, Luke Fitzgerald, Simon Zebo, Andrew Trimble and Craig Gilroy fighting over two spots.

Hogan would like to McFadden to get the nod for one of those places because he is "so dogged, gives absolutely everything and rarely make mistakes." But he believes Dave Kearney is ahead of the pack in the selectors' thoughts at the moment.  Thornley also feels that Kearney's good form and recent Ireland exposure means he is "in situ", while McFadden was one of the "few shining lights" against Australia in November. Although he would like to see Zebo start, Thornley expects Luke Fitzgerald to beat both the Munster man and McFadden to a starting place against Scotland.

Centres

While Thornley admits that Brian O'Driscoll has "not been tearing up trees", he believes that both the No 13 and Gordon D'Arcy are definites.

But Hogan believes that giving Fitzgerald a look in at centre at some point of the Six Nations may be beneficial.

Half-back

Although Eoin Reddan has been good form, Conor Murray is a definite at scrum-half. Jonny Sexton is the main man for the No 10 shirt. 

Thornley believes that Paddy Jackson will be the deputy out-half but that Ian Madigan's versatility gives him an edge for the bench.

Back row

Jamie Heaslip is a shoe-in at 8 but it is the loss of the world class Sean O'Brien to injury which is giving Schmidt food for thought. Thornley is a big fan of Munster's Tommy O'Donnell who he sees as a genuine 7. But the Irish Times man believes he is one of the future which makes Chris Henry the "logical choice". 

Paddy Jackson, Chris Henry and Fergus McFadden ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Second Row

Captain Paul O'Connell is a definite to start with Devin Toner heading to queue to partner him according to both Thornley and Hogan.

Front Row

The front row is straightforward with Cian Healy, Rory Best and Mike Ross starting.

But Thornley believes Jack McGrath is top of the queue from the bench and that Marty Moore is also moving up the pecking order.

Main image: Luke Fitzgerald and Gordon D'Arcy ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan