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Six NationsIrelandScotlandAndy FarrellCaelan DorisRonan Kelleher

Andy Farrell names Ireland team to face Scotland

(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Andy Farrell has included one uncapped player in his starting XV as he looks to begin his reign as Ireland boss with a Six Nations win over Scotland next Saturday.

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Having served as Joe Schmidt’s defence coach since 2016, Farrell made the step-up to the top job following Ireland’s quarter-final elimination at the World Cup at the hands of New Zealand.  

In an attempt to usher in a new era and put his own stamp on things, Farrell has handed Leinster’s Caelan Doris his debut at No8 for the Aviva Stadium opener. 

There could also be a first cap off the bench for Ronan Kelleher, Doris’ provincial colleague, as he was selected as back up to starting hooker Rob Herring. However, while there are five changes to the starting XV that was defeated by the All Blacks in Schmidt’s last outing, Farrell has chosen 13 of the 15 players who started the World Cup pool win over Scotland in Yokohama, the retired Rory Best and the benched Peter O’Mahony the two alterations.

Farrell has chosen a starting back three of Jordan Larmour, Andrew Conway and Jacob Stockdale – Larmour will start for veteran Rob Kearney, who was excluded from the squad chosen a fortnight ago, while Conway gets in ahead of Munster colleague Keith Earls.

(Continue reading below…)

The Six Nations team captains were out in force at the recent Six Nations launch in London

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Garry Ringrose is paired with Bundee Aki at midfield. Aki makes his return to the XV after suspension ruled him out of the quarter-final where Ringrose lined up alongside the now benched Robbie Henshaw.

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Despite the clamour for John Cooney’s inclusion at scrum-half, Farrell has decided to keep Conor Murray at half-back along with new skipper Johnny Sexton. 

The front row is made up of Cian Healy, Herring and Tadgh Furlong with Iain Henderson and James Ryan named at lock. Herring is the one change to the front five from Tokyo, stepping up for the now-retired Rory Best.    

In the back row, newcomer Doris will pack down with CJ Stander and Josh van der Flier. Peter O’Mahony loses out from the World Cup starting XV and settles for a place on a bench that includes the return of Devin Toner, the headline omission by Schmidt when he chose his 31 for the finals in Japan.

IRELAND (vs Scotland)

15. Jordan Larmour (St Mary’s College/Leinster) 21 caps

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14. Andrew Conway (Garryowen/Munster) 18 caps

13. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster) 28 caps

12. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht) 23 caps

11. Jacob Stockdale (Lurgan/Ulster) 25 caps

10. Jonathan Sexton (St Marys College/Leinster) 88 caps Captain

9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) 78 caps

1. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) 95 caps

2. Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 8 caps

3. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster) 41 caps

4. Iain Henderson (Queens University/Ulster) 53 caps

5. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster) 23 caps

6. CJ Stander (Shannon/Munster) 38 caps

7. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster) 23 caps

8. Caelan Doris (UCD/Leinster)*

Replacements:

16. Ronan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster)*

17. Dave Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster) 36 caps

18. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster) 23 caps

19. Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster) 67 caps

20. Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster) 64 caps

21. John Cooney (Terenure College/Ulster) 8 caps

22. Ross Byrne (UCD/Leinster) 3 caps

23. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster) 40 caps

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Comments on RugbyPass

C
Cantab 7 days ago
Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments
J
James 7 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments
d
dw 7 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments
d
dw 7 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments
d
dw 7 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.


Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments
R
RedWarriors 7 days ago
'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments
J
JM 7 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments
R
RedWarriors 7 days ago
'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments
O
OJohn 7 days ago
Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments
C
Carlos 7 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments
C
Carlos 7 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments
S
Solenn Bonnet 7 days ago
Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments
M
Mzilikazi 7 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments
M
Mzilikazi 7 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments
M
Mzilikazi 7 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.


Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments
B
BC 7 days ago
Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments
O
Otagoman II 7 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments
N
NB 7 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍

37 Go to comments
N
NB 7 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Always the same at the other place. Some of those perceptions of him at the Tahs - lazy, overweight and slow - were impossible to shift!

37 Go to comments
N
NB 7 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Hang on to Miz Carlos!

37 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ ‘Money is pouring into the All Blacks, yet the more they spend, the less return they get’ ‘Money is pouring into the All Blacks, yet the more they spend, the less return they get’
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