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Henderson and O'Brien to start at Murrayfield
By Peter Thompson
Iain Henderson will start for Ireland against Scotland in the first game of the Six Nations on Saturday and Sean O'Brien has been passed fit.
Lock Henderson comes into the second row alongside Devin Toner, with Donnacha Ryan ruled out due to a knee injury.
Flanker O'Brien has recovered from a calf injury to join CJ Stander and Jamie Heaslip in the back row for the opener at Murrayfield.
Paddy Jackson has been named as fly-half by Joe Schmidt after Jonathan Sexton was ruled out with a calf problem.
Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose will form the centre pairing for an Ireland side who are second-favourites for the tournament behind defending champions England.
Munster hooker Niall Scannell is in line to win his cap from the bench, but his brother Rory misses out.
Ireland team: Rob Kearney, Keith Earls, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Simon Zebo, Paddy Jackson, Conor Murray; Jack McGrath, Rory Best (captain), Tadhg Furlong. Iain Henderson, Devin Toner, CJ Stander, Sean O'Brien, Jamie Heaslip.
Replacements: Niall Scannell, Cian Healy, John Ryan, Ultan Dillane, Josh van der Flier, Kieran Marmion, Ian Keatley, Tommy Bowe.
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Latest Comments
Agree we need a 10, 12, 13 refresh. ASAP. Well, next season now lol. Reiko should be put back on the wing. He'll be an absolute menace there. Imagine 11 Reiko 14 Clarke 15 Jordan as the backfield unit.
Go to commentsIt took a whole season to wash the Foster stink out to be fair. There's still been substantial change though. I think only 7 starters from the RWC QF v IRE started the IRE test in Dublin. This year wasn't the year for full innovation, transition needs to be balanced, & incremental. The new coaches will be able to stamp their full mark on the ABs from 2025 when Razor will select his first proper squad from a mega talented player pool. Exciting times ahead.
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