Andy Farrell makes five Ireland changes for Wales clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has revealed his matchday squad for Friday’s Six Nations Round Four clash against Wales in Dublin.
There are five changes to the starting line-up that thumped England at Twickenham in Round Three.
Jamison Gibson-Park will win his 50th Test cap in green, while uncapped Ulster scrumhalf Nathan Doak is in line for his Ireland debut off the bench.
Also among the replacements are Ulster’s Tom Stewart and Munster centre Tom Farrell, who are both set for their first Six Nations appearance.
Jamie Osborne, Robert Baloucoune and Jacob Stockdale start in Ireland’s back three, with Garry Ringrose and Stuart McCloskey continuing their midfield partnership.
Flyhalf Jack Crowley starts alongside Gibson-Park in the halfbacks.
In the pack, Tom O’Toole, Rónan Kelleher and Tadhg Furlong start in the front row, with James Ryan and Tadhg Beirne in the engine room and Jack Conan, Nick Timoney and captain Caelan Doris in the back row.
Farrell has plenty of experience to call on as Stewart, Michael Milne, Thomas Clarkson, Joe McCarthy and Josh van der Flier make up the forward replacements, with backs Doak, Farrell, and Ciaran Frawley completing the 23.
Jeremy Loughman (calf) is unavailable for selection.
“We have two special milestones in the squad this week at opposite ends of the scrum-half spectrum,” said Farrell.
“I would firstly like to congratulate Nathan on his first international selection. Nathan has been around a few Ireland camps in recent years and has impressed with the consistency and quality of his play in training and with Ulster over a longer period.
“I know how much this means to Nathan, and we are determined to make this a special few days for him and his family. Also, Jamison becomes the 61st Irish international to reach the 50-cap mark, which is an incredible achievement for a top-class professional.
“I have no doubt that both players are excited to get out in front of a packed Aviva Stadium on Friday night.”
Ireland: 15 Jamie Osborne, 14 Robert Baloucoune, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris, 7 Nick Timoney, 6 Jack Conan, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 James Ryan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Rónan Kelleher, 1 Tom O’Toole
Replacements: 16 Tom Stewart, 17 Michael Milne, 18 Thomas Clarkson, 19 Joe McCarthy, 20 Josh van der Flier, 21 Nathan Doak, 22 Tom Farrell, 23 Ciaran Frawley.
Date: Friday, March 6
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off: 20.10 (20.10 GMT)
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant referees: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia), Damian Schneider (Argentina)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (England)
