Round one.

Ireland boss Andy Farrell named his team to take on Wales on Saturday earlier today, with a couple of big selection decisions that we did not see coming.

Uncapped Mack Hansen comes straight in for the injured James Lowe, to start on the wing. A baptism of fire for the in-form Connacht man, who has beaten off some stiff competition from the likes of Keith Earls, Robert Baloucoune, and Jordan Larmour, to claim the left wing spot.

In the centre, Garry Ringrose starts alongside Bundee Aki, with Robbie Henshaw missing out. At first, we all thought it was a selection call, but it turns out Farrell’s hand was forced somewhat in selecting his team.

Henshaw, it turns out missed a few sessions this week, with Farrell revealing he’s been struggling with an “adductor niggle.”

Keith Earls was also unavailable after picking up a hamstring injury and is set for a scan. Iain Henderson, meanwhile, came up just short on his return from injury but will be in the mix for France next week.