Easterby names Ireland team for 'electric start'
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Interim coach Simon Easterby has named the Ireland team for Saturday’s opening s Six Nations clash against England at a sold-out Lansdowne Road stadium.
Caelan Doris will captain the side as Ireland get their title defence underway against England in Dublin.
Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen and James Lowe are named in the Ireland back three, with Bundee Aki partnering Garry Ringrose in midfield.
Jamison Gibson-Park starts at scrumhalf and Sam Prendergast is at flyhalf, for what will be his Six Nations debut.
In the pack, Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher and Finlay Bealham are named in the front row.
James Ryan and Tadhg Beirne start in the Ireland engine room.
Ryan Baird is selected at blindside flank, Josh van der Flier at openside and captain Doris packing down at No.8.
Easterby has experienced options on the bench to call upon, with the fit-again Dan Sheehan, Cian Healy, Thomas Clarkson, Iain Henderson and Jack Conan providing the forward reinforcements, with backs Conor Murray, Jack Crowley and Robbie Henshaw completing Ireland’s matchday squad.
Joe McCarthy is unavailable due to injury.
“We’ve come off the back of a good week’s training in Quinta do Lago and I have been hugely impressed by the effort of the squad,” Easterby said.
“We’ve enjoyed some competitive sessions and it wasn’t easy selecting a squad for this week’s game given the quality of those who haven’t made the final 23.
“Credit to those who missed out on selection for this game, there was obvious disappointment but they all stepped up brilliantly to help prepare the team this week.
“England are a talented squad with quality across their panel and we know that we will need to hit the ground running to deliver a winning performance.
“The atmosphere will be electric come kick-off and I know how excited the Irish public will be to see their team perform.
“That opportunity to represent the Irish people is something that always motivates the players and there has been real intent in how they have approached this week’s training.
“We’re ready for the challenge and excited to get going.”
Ireland: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 James Lowe, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris (captain), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Ryan Baird, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 James Ryan, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Rónan Kelleher, 1 Andrew Porter.
Replacements: 16 Dan Sheehan, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Thomas Clarkson, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Jack Crowley , 23 Robbie Henshaw.
Date: Saturday, February 1
Venue: Lansdowne Road, Dublin
Kick-off: 16.45 (16.45 GMT)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: James Doleman (New Zealand) & Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)
