Joe Schmidt Reveals Why Donnacha Ryan Isn’t In The Ireland Team To Play Scotland

Joe Schmidt has named his Ireland team to take on Scotland.

There’s very few surprises with Paddy Jackson coming in to replace the injured Johnny Sexton at ten, while Sean O’Brien has been deemed fit enough to warrant a place in the back-row alongside CJ Stander and Jamie Heaslip.

As expected Andrew Trimble did not pass a fitness test, but his injury isn’t thought to be too severe and should be available for the Italy game next week.

Niall Scannell will make his Ireland debut if he comes off the bench, leapfrogging Leinster’s James Tracy for a spot in the squad, while Ian Keatley will act as cover to Paddy Jackson, with Rory Scannell being released to take a spot on the bench for Munster tomorrow night.

The one notable absentee however was Munster’s Donnacha Ryan. The towering lock was favourite to start ahead of Iain Henderson, but isn’t in the squad, with Ultan Dillane acting as second-row cover on the bench. It’s now been confirmed that Ryan is out due to a medial ligament [knee] strain.