Ireland lose another centre ahead of Scotland clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has made a few changes to his team for Saturday’s crucial match against Scotland in Round Two of Six Nations 2019.
Robbie Henshaw has been left out of Ireland’s 23-man squad for the match.
Henshaw struggled at fullback in Ireland’s 20-32 defeat to England at the Aviva last Saturday, but was expected to slot in at centre in place of the injured Garry Ringrose, but a dead leg has ruled him out.
Schmidt has selected Munster centre Chris Farrell to partner Bundee Aki in the centre.
Rob Kearney is named at fullback with Keith Earls and Jacob Stockdale on the wings.
Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton retain their places at No.9 and No.10
Captain Rory Best is again joined in the front row by Cian Healy and Tadhg Furlong.
Quinn Roux comes in at lock to partner James Ryan while Sean O’Brien and Jack Conan are introduced to the back row with Peter O’Mahony retained on the blindside flank.
The replacements named for the weekend are Sean Cronin, Dave Kilcoyne, Andrew Porter, Ultan Dillane, Josh van der Flier, John Cooney, Joey Carbery and Jordan Larmour.
Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Keith Earls, 13 Chris Farrell, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Sean O’Brien, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 5 Quinn Roux, 4 James Ryan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Rory Best (captain), 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Andrew Porter, 19 Ultan Dillane, 20 Josh van der Flier, 21 John Cooney, 22 Joey Carbery, 23 Jordan Larmour.
Date: Saturday, February 9
Venue: Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Kick-off: 14.15 (14.15 GMT)
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Assistant referees: Pascal Gaüzère (France), Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
TMO: Rowan Kitt (England)
Here’s the @IrishRugby team to play @Scotlandteam on Saturday.#TeamOfUs #ShoulderToShoulder #SCOvIRE pic.twitter.com/LQWUS28tMs
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 7, 2019
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