Ireland team named for Six Nations showdown with Wales
Latest posts by Will Matthews (see all)
- Investec Champions Cup: All the action from Round 1 of Europe - December 6, 2024
- Munster Rugby appoint veteran New Zealand coach to backroom team - December 3, 2024
- The Future of Rugby Betting on Online Casino Sites - December 2, 2024
Here we go.
Ireland boss Andy Farrell has named his team to take on Wales in the Six Nations at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin this weekend.
The men in green kicked off their 2024 Championship with wins over France and Italy and following a down week, return to action in front of another sold out Aviva Stadium crowd this Saturday.
Captain Peter O’Mahony returns to the Ireland starting team for the Round 3 clash against Warren Gatland‘s side, becoming the ninth Ireland player to reach 50 appearances in the Guinness Men’s Six Nations, following in the footsteps of Rory Best, Ronan O’Gara, Brian O’Driscoll, Cian Healy, Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray, John Hayes and Paul O’Connell.
In the absence of Hugo Keenan, Farrell has selected Ciaran Frawley at full-back, as he partners Calvin Nash and James Lowe in the back three on the occasion of his first Test start in green.
Bundee Aki returns to the starting XV to continue his midfield partnership with Robbie Henshaw, while Jamison Gibson-Park and Jack Crowley start at scrum-half and out-half respectively.
In the pack, Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong are named in the front row, with Joe McCarthy continuing in the second row alongside Tadhg Beirne. O’Mahony skippers the team from the back row, alongside Josh van der Flier at openside flanker and Caelan Doris at number eight.
The Ireland Coaching Team have opted for a 6-2 split on the bench, as Ronan Kelleher, Cian Healy, the uncapped Oli Jager, James Ryan, Ryan Baird and Jack Conan provide the reinforcements in the pack.
Backs Conor Murray and Stuart McCloskey complete Ireland’s Match Day 23 for the visit of Wales.
Saturday’s match is live on RTÉ2 and ITV.
Ireland Team vs Wales
15. Ciaran Frawley
14. Calvin Nash
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Bundee Aki
11. James Lowe
10. Jack Crowley
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
1. Andrew Porter
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Joe McCarthy
5. Tadhg Beirne
6. Peter O’Mahony (c)
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Caelan Doris
Replacements:
16. Ronan Kelleher
17. Cian Healy
18. Oli Jager
19. James Ryan
20. Ryan Baird
21. Jack Conan
22. Conor Murray
23. Stuart McCloskey