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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
Ben Smith is not regarded by most in the know as a fair "rugby writer" in SA...his negative obsession with the "supposed World Champions" knows no bounds. What he writes about NZ is probably correct but forgets England were also width of an upright away from beating them. Perhaps focus on the good All Black rugby will become and leave out the absolute rubbish comments about the guys in Green.
Go to commentsAgreed. He hasn’t transferred the dominance of one level to the next. He will be a weapon when he does though.
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