There is the assumption that only Courtney Lawes does all the big hits in the Northampton team. Away at Castres, Lawes was unbelievable – that European game has launched him even higher in public esteem and gave him the platform for his November internationals. However, he is not a one-man pack. Dylan Hartley is in the form of his life, Tom Wood the toughest of the tough who will have an awesome battle with Sean O’Brien on Saturday. These are top international forwards, and Manoa measures up comfortably. Huge shoulders and great flexibility allow him to get low and get his enormous rump driving through people. He is a defensive wrecking ball, and this could come in very handy on Saturday because the Irish side are masters of getting the ball and keeping it. Break up their possession with big hits or athletic prowess and you have a good chance of beating them.