1
Six changes for Ireland as Andy Farrell names team to host Italy
By Liam Heagney
Andy Farrell has decided to rejig his Ireland team for Sunday’s Guinness Six Nations match with Italy in Dublin, making six changes from the XV that comfortably picked off France in round one.
The Irish were 38-17 winners in Marseille last Friday and the reaction has been to go with two backline alterations and four in their pack.
In the backs, the recalled Stuart McCloskey will form the midfield with Robbie Henshaw as Bundee Aki is rested while Craig Casey will start at scrum-half. Jamison Gibson-Park slips to the bench, with Conor Murray missing out.
Up front, Finlay Bealham is promoted from the replacements in place of the rested Tadhg Furlong, with Tom O’Toole named as the sub tighthead.
James Ryan, Ryan Baird and Jack Conan are other Marseille subs upgraded to the starting side, with Tadhg Beirne and Peter O’Mahony rested and Josh van der Flier providing cover along with Iain Henderson from a bench that on this occasion will have a five/three forwards/backs split.
In France, that balance was six/two but three backs have been named in this weekend's replacements, Jordan Larmour joining Gibson-Park and Harry Byrne, who takes over the spot filled last time by Ciaran Frawley.
Last week's No8 Caelan Doris will start at openside to accommodate Conan at No8 and Baird at blindside in the reshuffled back row. He will also be a first-time skipper, taking over the responsibility from the absent O'Mahony.
Ireland (vs Italy, Sunday)
15. Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster) (37)
14. Calvin Nash (Young Munster/Munster) (2)
13. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster) (68)
12. Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/Ulster) (15)
11. James Lowe (Leinster) (27)
10. Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster) (10)
9. Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster) (13)
1. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster) (60)
2. Dan Sheehan (Lansdowne/Leinster) (22)
3. Finlay Bealham (Buccaneers/Connacht) (37)
4. Joe McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster) (6)
5. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster) (60)
6. Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster) (16)
7. Caelan Doris (St Mary’s College/Leinster) (37) (captain)
8. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster) (42)
Replacements:
16. Ronan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster) (27)
17. Jeremy Loughman (Garryowen/Munster) (4)
18. Tom O’Toole (Ballynahinch/Ulster) (12)
19. Iain Henderson (Academy/Ulster) (79)
20. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster) (58)
21. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster) (31)
22. Harry Byrne (UCD/Leinster) (2)
23. Jordan Larmour (St Mary’s College/Leinster) (30)
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Why World Cup winner doesn’t blame All Black for leaving New Zealand
3
Tyrone Green decision has huge bearing on his international future
4
Five legends to be inducted into World Rugby Hall of Fame
5
Latest Comments
I think it's the least likely possibility Ed.
Go to commentsScotland should win this one, considering they are the settled team compared to Australia. However, that is no guarantee that they will win. The Aussies tails is up, and they are throwing everything at the opposition.
When the Aussie fans cracked up and got angry when Joe Schmidt was appointed, I said to them to be patient, that he will get them on the right track. They said that he is not Australian and he won nothing. Second best. I should mind my own business because I don't know the Aussie ways, which is true as I'm SA.
However, now that he is bringing in results, they are all changing their minds. Joe is all in when he coaches a team. There is no team he supports more than the team he coaches. His quality is shining through properly now.
It's going to be a very tight game, much tighter than people realise. Both teams is playing exciting rugby right now. They both want to win. I'd even go as far as marking this game as the top game of the weekend.
Go to comments