The Irish team to face Italy in the second round of the Six Nations has been named today. Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has made four changes to the pack and two changes to the backline. Stuart McCloskey, Craig Casey, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, and Jack Conan all start their first game of the tournament.
Casey starts at scrumhalf with outhalf Jack Crowley. The back three of Hugo Keenan, fullback, and two wingers, James Lowe and Calvin Nash, remains unchanged.
In midfield, McCloskey comes in for Bundee Aki. The Ulster centre is joined by midfield partner Robbie Henshaw for the Italian tie in Dublin.
In the front pack, Finlay Bealham replaces Tadhg Furlong. The Connacht prop starts alongside Andrew Porter and Dan Sheehan.
The engine room consists of the excellent Joe McCarthy and James Ryan, who came off the bench in the France win.
Our team to face Italy at Aviva Stadium, captained by Caelan Doris! 👊#TeamOfUs
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 9, 2024
The side is completed by a back row of Baird, captain Caelan Doris, and Conan.
Ronan Kelleher, Jeremy Loughman, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson, and Josh van der Flier provide the reinforcements in the pack, while Jamison Gibson-Park, Harry Byrne, and Jordan Larmour are the backline replacements on the bench.
Sunday’s match is live on Virgin Media One in the Republic of Ireland and ITV in the United Kingdom.
The game kicks off at 3 p.m. on Sunday.
IRELAND:
Backs
Fullback: Hugo Keenan Winger: Calvin Nash Winger: James Lowe
Centre: Robbie Henshaw Centre: Stuart McCloskey
Outhalf: Jack Crowley Scrumhalf: Craig Casey
Forwards
Prop: Andrew Porter Hooker: Dan Sheehan Prop: Finlay Bealham
Lock: Joe McCarthy Lock: James Ryan
Flanker: Ryan Baird Flanker (captain): Caelan Doris Number 8: Jack Conan
Replacements:
Ronan Kelleher, Jeremy Loughman,Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson, Josh van der Flier, Jamison Gibson-Park, Harry Byrne, Jordan Larmour
