IRELAND HEAD COACH Andy Farrell has made two changes to his starting XV for Saturday’s crucial World Cup Pool B clash with Scotland in Paris [KO 8pm Irish time, Virgin Media], with Iain Henderson and Dan Sheehan coming into the side.
Ulster man Henderson replaces James Ryan, who suffered a hand injury in the win over South Africa two weekends ago. Ryan has had a disrupted involvement in training as a result and he switches onto the bench for this weekend.
The only other change to Ireland’s side sees Sheehan start at hooker after making his return from a foot injury off the bench against the Springboks. Rónan Kelleher, who started that game, is named among the replacements.
Peter O’Mahony will earn his 100th Ireland cap at Stade de France as he starts in the back row.
There are further changes to the matchday squad as back row Jack Conan returns to the bench, while Stuart McCloskey has been named in the number 23 jersey and is set for his first appearance of the World Cup.
Conan has recovered from the foot injury that ruled him out of the three pool wins over Romania, Tonga, and the Springboks, and replaces Ryan Baird among the Irish replacements. Meanwhile, McCloskey comes in for the injured Robbie Henshaw.
Otherwise, Farrell has gone for continuity. Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong will be either side of Sheehan, while Tadhg Beirne partners Henderson in the second row. The back row of O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier, and Caelan Doris is unchanged.
Captain Johnny Sexton partners Jamison Gibson-Park in the halfbacks, with Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose teaming up in midfield once again, while the back three of James Lowe, Mack Hansen, and Hugo Keenan go again.
Ireland (v Scotland):
- 15. Hugo Keenan
- 14. Mack Hansen
- 13. Garry Ringrose
- 12. Bundee Aki
- 11. James Lowe
- 10. Johnny Sexton (captain)
- 9. Jamison Gibson-Park
- 1. Andrew Porter
- 2. Dan Sheehan
- 3. Tadhg Furlong
- 4. Tadhg Beirne
- 5. Iain Henderson
- 6. Peter O’Mahony
- 7. Josh van der Flier
- 8. Caelan Doris
Replacements:
- 16. Rónan Kelleher
- 17. Dave Kilcoyne
- 18. Finlay Bealham
- 19. James Ryan
- 20. Jack Conan
- 21. Conor Murray
- 22. Jack Crowley
- 23. Stuart McCloskey
Referee: Nic Berry [Australia].
- This article was updated at 5.51pm to correct typos in the fifth and eighth paragraphs.