The Ireland head coach has shuffled players around
Simon Easterby has made seven changes to Ireland’s starting XV for their Six Nations clash with Wales on Saturday (kick-off, 2.15pm).
As expected, Jack Conan comes in at No 8 for injured captain, Caelan Doris, while Dan Sheehan starts, with Rónan Kelleher also injured.
Surprisingly, Sheehan has been named captain, despite Doris’ predecessor, Peter O’Mahony, starting at blindside flanker, with Munster captain Tadhg Beirne also in the team, as well as former Leinster co-captain Garry Ringrose.
Jamie Osborne will make his Six Nations debut at fullback, and Tom Clarkson will get his first start in the tournament at tight head.
Joe McCarthy – injured for rounds one and two – comes in for his minutes of this year’s Championship, with James Ryan dropping to the bench.
Leinster loose head Jack Boyle is in line to make his senior debut off the bench, while Gus McCarthy and Cian Prendergast have also been named as subs.
15. Jamie Osborne (Naas/Leinster)(5)
14. Mack Hansen (Corinthians/Connacht)(26)
13. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster)(65)
12. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster)(79)
11. James Lowe (Leinster)(38)
10. Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster)(5)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)(40)
1. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster)(72)
2. Dan Sheehan (Lansdowne/Leinster)(captain)(29)
3. Thomas Clarkson (Dublin University/Leinster)(4)
4. Joe McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster)(16)
5. Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster)(58)
6. Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster)(111)
7. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster)(70)
8. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)(48)
Replacements:
16. Gus McCarthy (UCD/Leinster)(2)
17. Jack Boyle (UCD/Leinster)*
18. Finlay Bealham (Corinthians/Connacht)(48)
19. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster)(69)
20. Cian Prendergast (UCD/Connacht)(4)
21. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)(122)
22. Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster)(21)
23. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht)(62)
