Farrell Names Henshaw At 13 For Six Nations Opener

Wednesday, 31 January 2024 13:29

The competition's deciding game could be this Friday evening.

Ireland boss Andy Farrell has named his team to face France in Friday's Guinness Six Nations opener.

Athlone's Robbie Henshaw will start in the centre, with Garry Ringrose nursing a shoulder injury.

Ronan O'Gara says if all three centres are fit, he has no concerns which two of them start:

Jack Crowley is set to start at out-half, the Munster man is named at 10 ahead of Ciaran Frawley and Harry Byrne.

While Calvin Nash will replace the injured Mack Hansen on the wing.

Ireland Team

15. Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster)(36)

14. Calvin Nash (Young Munster/Munster)(1)

13. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster)(67)

12. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht)(52)

11. James Lowe (Leinster)(26)

10. Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster)(9)

9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)(30)

1. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster)(59)

2. Dan Sheehan (Lansdowne/Leinster)(21)

3. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster)(72)

4. Joe McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster)(5)

5. Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster)(46)

6. Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster)(captain)(101)

7. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster)(57)

8. Caelan Doris (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)(36)

Replacements:

16. Ronan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster)(26)

17. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)(125)

18. Finlay Bealham (Buccaneers/Connacht)(36)

19. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster)(59)

20. Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster)(15)

21. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)(41)

22. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)(112)

23. Ciaran Frawley (UCD/Leinster)(1).

Meanwhile - the France team named by Fabien Galthie shows five changes from the side that started the World Cup defeat to South Africa.

Maxime Lucu will wear the number 9 shirt with Antoine Dupont switching to Sevens ahead of the upcoming Olympic Games.

Yoram Moefana is promoted from the bench to the left-wing.

Francois Cros will start in the back row while there is an all-new second-row of Paul Willemse and newcomer Paul Gabrillagues.

Coach Fabien Galthie has opted for a six forwards/ two backs bench split.

Kick off at the Stade Velodrome is set for 8pm Irish time.

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