ANDY FARRELL’S WILLINGNESS to take risks with his team-selections was evident today, when he named James Lowe in his starting XV to play Wales on Sunday, with Jordan Larmour relegated to the bench.
Lowe, the New Zealander who qualifies for Ireland through the residency rule, made a try-scoring debut against the Welsh in November, before struggling a week later in the defeat to England.
He has been injured since, but despite his inactivity, Farrell has opted to include him in the team alongside Hugo Keenan and Keith Earls in his back three.
The midfield partnership is an all-Leinster combo, Robbie Henshaw winning the fight for the inside centre slot ahead of Bundee Aki, with Garry Ringrose edging out Chris Farrell for the No13 jersey.
At half-back, captain Johnny Sexton hooks up yet again with Conor Murray – one of two Munster men in the backline.
#TeamOfUs
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 5, 2021
📄 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 🟢
Head Coach Andy Farrell has named his Ireland Match Day 23 for the opening round of the #GuinnessSixNations against Wales in Cardiff 🙌#ShoulderToShoulder #IrishRugby #WALvIRE pic.twitter.com/OPv2Abiu2c
In the pack, the big selection debate focused on the backrow, where Josh Van Der Flier won the nod over fellow Leinster flanker, Will Connors. Munster captain, Peter O’Mahony and CJ Stander partner Van Der Flier.
James Ryan and Tadhg Beirne were named in the second row, which was widely anticipated, while the front row selection of Cian Healy, Rob Herring and Andrew Porter was also expected. Complimenting this selection is the considerable presence of Dave Kilcoyne and Tadhg Furlong on the bench.
Among the remaining replacements, Iain Henderson’s name stands out, while there are also spots for hooker, Ronan Kelleher, Connors, scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park, Ulster out-half, Billy Burns, and Larmour.
Ireland
15: Hugo Keenan
14: Keith Earls
13: Garry Ringrose
12: Robbie Henshaw
11: James Lowe
10: Johnny Sexton
9: Conor Murray
1: Cian Healy
2: Rob Herring
3: Andrew Porter
4: Tadhg Beirne
5: James Ryan
6: Peter O’Mahony
7: Josh Van Der Flier
8: CJ Stander
Replacements
16: Ronan Kelleher
17: Dave Kilcoyne
18: Tadhg Furlong
19: Iain Henderson
20: Will Connors
21: Jamison-Gibson Park
22: Billy Burns
23: Jordan Larmour
