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Toner loses out to Leinster teammate as Ireland team named
By Nathaniel Cope
Ireland have selected James Ryan at second row for their Natwest 6 Nations opener against France in Paris on Saturday.
Ryan, who has just four caps, has usurped his more experienced Leinster and Ireland teammate Devin Toner.
The 6’8, 108kg lock has made just 10 appearances for Leinster, the vast majority coming this season.
With the backrow fiercely competitive, Josh van der Flier has been given the nod at openside ahead of Dan Leavy.
There is no place in the 23-man squad for in-form Jordan Larmour. Joey Carbery, who has made just one substitute appearance for Leinster since injuring his wrist against Fiji during the Autumn, is the back-up to Johnny Sexton and can play at full-back.
In the backline Bundee Aki and Jacob Stockdale will make their first 6 Nations appearances having impressed during the Autumn.
Ireland have only won once in Paris since 2000 and were defeated 10-9 on their last visit in 2016.
15. Rob Kearney (78 caps)
14. Keith Earls (62 caps)
13. Robbie Henshaw (31 caps)
12. Bundee Aki (2 caps)
11. Jacob Stockdale (4 caps)
10. Johnny Sexton (68 caps)
9. Conor Murray (59 caps)
1. Cian Healy (73 caps)
2. Rory Best (106 caps) c
3. Tadhg Furlong (19 caps)
4. Iain Henderson (34 caps)
5. James Ryan (4 caps)
6. Peter O’Mahony (42 caps)
7. Josh van der Flier (9 caps)
8. CJ Stander (18 caps)
Replacements:
16. Sean Cronin (56 caps)
17. Jack McGrath (42 caps)
18. John Ryan (11 caps)
19. Devin Toner (53 caps)
20. Dan Leavy (4 caps)
21. Luke McGrath (6 caps)
22. Joey Carbery (6 caps)
23. Fergus McFadden (32 caps)
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Latest Comments
Disagree.
The challenge for the All Blacks now that they have 7 of 8 starting forwards locked in and all but one bench forward (only one loose forward and bench loosie to settle on) is to sort out the starting backline as only 9 Roigard, 12 J. Barrett, 11 Clarke and 15 Jordan had good to outstanding seasons in 2024. All the other backs were inconsistent or poor and question marks going into 2025.
Go to commentshe should not be playing 12. He should be playing 10 and team managers should stop playing players out of position to accommodate libbok.
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