McCarthy, Nash and Crawley set to start in Six Nations opener – Irish Times

Joe McCarthy’s form for Leinster this season means he is likely to be selected for Ireland’s squad for Friday night’s Six Nations opener against France in Marseille.

The 22-year-old lock, who has made two starts in the past five Tests, is set to make his first Six Nations start when Andy Farrell announces his squad around midday on Wednesday.

The 6ft 6in, 112kg McCarthy started in the World Cup pool win against Romania, played the remaining 22 minutes off the bench in the quarter-final against New Zealand and has since established himself in Leinster’s starting XI. did. He impressed in the Champions Cup pool games against La Rochelle and Stade Francais, in particular his try-scoring performance against Leicester at Welford, and against Munster on St Stephen’s Day at Thomond Park. The victory produced a series of big performances.

Farrell and Paul O’Connell have clearly been big fans all along and wasted little time incorporating him into their squads, including the 2022 tour of New Zealand and then the upstart Ireland tour of South Africa, but apparently McCarthy’s form is It seems I can no longer ignore him.

Perhaps the only changes to the starting XI against the All Blacks will be partly forced. Jack Crowley, an unused substitute for the quarter-final in Paris, is expected to start at out-half in place of the retired Johnny Sexton, but Crowley’s Munster team-mate Calvin Nash He is considered more likely than Jordan Larmour to replace the injured Mack Hansen.

Garry Ringrose is also doubtful to play in Friday’s tournament opener due to a shoulder problem, with Robbie Henshaw expected to start for Leinster this season, having remained injury-free and in good form.

Ian Henderson, who started in the World Cup quarter-finals, may miss matchday 23, with James Ryan, who came on as a substitute in the final pool match against Scotland before being eliminated in the quarter-finals, being selected for matchday 23. Probability is high. Bench again.

Cian Healy, who missed his fourth World Cup after injuring his knee in the final warm-up game against Samoa, could also return to the bench. One of the implications of Peter O’Mahony’s appointment as Sexton’s successor as captain is the possibility, although not guaranteed, of limiting Ryan Baird’s game time. However, like McCarthy, it would be no surprise if he could adapt to a 6-2 split on the bench after his form for Leinster this season.

Should Henshaw start in place of Ringrose in the absence of the injured Jimmy O’Brien, Ciaran Frawley’s versatility would likely see him given the number 23 shirt.

No matter who was chosen to replace Hansen on the right wing, it would have been a tough decision. Both Nash and Larmour are 26 years old, but the latter is considerably more experienced, although he won the last of his 30 caps in the win over Japan in July 2021.

Considering his acceleration and footwork, Larmour is undoubtedly the better finisher, as evidenced by his six tries in 10 games for Leinster this season. Nash, his only cap to date, was off the bench in the World Cup lead-up win against Italy, but has scored four tries in 12 games for Munster this season.

Nevertheless, Nash has played a lot of rugby over the past two seasons, and their investment in him began with that tour of emerging Ireland, and continued into the wider World Cup training squad when Larmour was injured.

France v Ireland preview with Gordon D’Arcy and Noel McNamara

Nash probably looks like Hansen. He is great on the pitch and under high balls, especially when chasing and competing for box kicks.

Coach Fabien Galtier is also expected to tread carefully when announcing his France squad for the intriguing opening match, to be played at the Stade Vélodrome around noon on Wednesday.

Bordeaux center Yoram Moefana looks set to be selected from the left wing position ahead of Louis Biel-Bialley, while Gael Fickou looks a bit tired and out of form, alongside Jonathan Danti. He is expected to remain in midfield, which is why he is so important. As the leader of their defense.

In the absence of Olympic-bound Antoine Dupont, Maxime Roux (who did not feature as a sub in the 29-28 quarter-final loss to South Africa) was joined by Bordeaux Bagels’ halfback partner Mathieu Jalibert. He is likely to be a starter.

In the pack, the front row will remain unchanged from the quarter-finals, with François Cross likely replacing the injured Anthony Geronche. However, with the sidelined Thibaut Flamang absent, the big change will be a more physical second row with the recalled Paul Willemse and Paul Gavlyag, and Cameron Woki likely to be split into a 6-2 bench split. He would be relegated to a higher status.

Ireland (vs. France, possible): Hugo Keenan. Calvin Nash, Robbie Henshaw, Bundy Aki, James Lowe. Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson Park. Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong. Tadhg Beirne, Joe McCarthy. Peter O’Mahony (Captain), Josh van der Vlier, Caelan Doris.

Replacement: Ronan Kelleher, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Ciaran Frawley.

France (possible): Thomas Ramos Damian Penaud, Gaël Fickou, Jonathan Danti, Yoram Moefana. Mathieu Jalibert, Maxime Luk. Cyril Baille, Pete Mauvaca, Wini Atonio. Paul Gavrilags, Paul Willems. François Clos, Charles Olivon, Gregory Aldritt.

replacement: Julien Marchand, Leda Waldi, Dorian Aldeguerri, Cameron Wouki, Sébastien Theofifenua, Paul Boudéin, Nolan Le Garrec, Louis Biel-Bialley.