Ireland lose big names ahead of France clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Ireland coaching group have named the side that will face France in Round Two of the 2021 Six Nations Championship in Dublin.
There’s a new halfback pairing, a new captain, a cap record in the front row and one uncapped player on the bench.
Ireland captain Johnny Sexton and vice-captain James Ryan have not hit all their markers this week in the return to play protocols so are not considered for selection.
Ulster’s Iain Henderson will captain Ireland for the first time, becoming the 108th player to lead Ireland. He will be partnered in the second row by Tadhg Beirne.
📄 Unfortunately @ConorMurray_9 picked up a hamstring strain in training this week and has been ruled out of Sunday’s game. Wishing you a speedy recovery, Conor! 👊🟢#ShoulderToShoulder #IrishRugby #GuinnessSixNations #IREvFRA pic.twitter.com/bq33KevPkL
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 12, 2021
The front row that started against Wales of Cian Healy, Rob Herring and Andrew Porter is retained. Healy will win his 106th cap taking him ahead of John Hayes (105) as Ireland’s most capped prop.
In the back row, Josh van der Flier and CJ Stander are joined by Rhys Ruddock who slots in on the blindside flank.
Conor Murray picked up a hamstring strain in training this week and has been ruled out of this game. Jamison Gibson Park comes in to start at No.9 and will partner Billy Burns.
Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose line out in the centre and the back three is unchanged with Hugo Keenan at fullback flanked by Keith Earls and James Lowe.
There are four changes in the replacements as Ed Byrne, Ultan Dillane, Ross Byrne and the uncapped Craig Casey come in while Ronan Kelleher, Tadgh Furlong, Will Connors and Jordan Larmour complete the bench for the weekend.
Ireland: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Keith Earls, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 James Lowe, 10 Billy Burns, 9 Jamison Gibson Park, 8 CJ Stander, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Rhys Ruddock, 5 Iain Henderson (captain), 4 Tadhg Beirne, 3 Andrew Porter, 2 Rob Herring, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Ed Byrne, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Ultan Dillane, 20 Will Connors, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Jordan Larmour.
Date: Sunday, February 14
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off: 15.00 (15.00 GMT; 16.00 France time)
Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant Referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Christophe Ridley (England)
TMO: Tom Foley (England)
Iain Henderson will captain Ireland for the first time on Sunday, becoming the 108th player to do so ✊🟢
Get the full #IREvFRA Team News details ⤵️#ShoulderToShoulder #IrishRugby #GuinnessSixNations
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 12, 2021
