Peter O’Mahony, Bundy Aki, Jamison Gibson-Park, Tadhg Furlong, Tadhg Beirne and Josh van der Flier are in the Ireland XV starting XI for Sunday’s game against Italy (3pm kick-off) It comes off. Featuring Stuart McCloskey, Craig Casey, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, Ryan Baird and Jack Conan.Kaylan Doris appointed captain
by michael cantillon
14:24, UK, Friday 9 February 2024
Ireland have made six changes to their squad for the second leg of the Six Nations against Italy, with back-rower Caelan Doris captaining the side for the first time.
Andy Farrell’s Ireland started the Championship with a sensational 38-17 win away to France in Marseille last Friday, but a number of key players will not be playing in Dublin this weekend.
Captain and flanker Peter O’Mahony, center Bundy Aki, scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park, tighthead Tajig Furlong, lock Tajig Beirne and openside Josh van der Flier are the starting XI. Among the substitutes only Gibson-Park and Van der Flier were selected.
In their place are Ulster center Stuart McCloskey, Munster scrumhalf Craig Casey, Connacht tighthead Finlay Bealham, Leinster second row James Ryan and back-row duo Ryan Baird and Jack Conan appear.
Joe McCarthy, Jack Crowley and Calvin Nash, the young trio who made a good impression in France, each make a fresh start, the latter shaking off a deadlock to do so.
The back three remains full-back Hugo Keenan and left-winger James Rowe partnering Nash, with Robbie Henshaw retaining his outside center position, while Garry Ringrose (shoulder) ) is not yet fit.
Casey will partner Crowley in a pair of Munster half-backs, with loosehead Andrew Porter and hooker Dan Sheehan forming the front-row unit alongside Bealam.
McCarthy will partner Ryan in the second row, with Doris moving from number eight to openside in the back row, with Connan starting at number eight and Baird replacing O’Mahony at blindside.
Among the substitutes are loosehead Jeremy Loughman, tighthead Tom O’Toole and lock Ian Henderson, all making their first appearances in the competition, with Ronan Kelleher once again named as cover for hooker.
Harry Byrne replaced Leinster teammate Ciaran Frawley as cover at out half, while Jordan Larmour was drafted in as a replacement in the back three.
Ireland: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 James Lowe, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Conor Murray. 1 Andrew Porter, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Finlay Bealham, 4 Joe McCarthy, 5 James Ryan, 6 Ryan Baird, 7 Sheeran Doris (c), 8 Jack Conan.
Replacement: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Jeremy Rahman, 18 Tom O’Toole, 19 Ian Henderson, 20 Josh van der Flier, 21 Jamison Gibson-Park, 22 Harry Byrne, 23 Jordan Larmour.
Sky Sports News’ James Cole and digital journalist Megan Wellens preview the Six Nations second round fixtures
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