Ireland will be without in-form hooker Dan Sheehan due to injury for their Six Nations game against France at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
Sheehan, who has been excellent for both Leinster and Ireland for a significant period, has been replaced in the number two jersey by Ulster’s Rob Herring.
There is a return to the squad via the bench for Ronan Kelleher, but the news of Sheehan‘s absence has been the big talking point of the team announcement.
Herring gets the nod at hooker
Andrew Porter and Finlay Bealham will once again pack down as the two props, with Tadhg Beirne and James Ryan also given the nod again as the lock duo.
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has rolled out the same back-row of Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier and Peter O’Mahony for the huge Six Nations match.
The backline sees captain Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray at half-back with Stuart McCloskey and Garry Ringrose continuing their centre partnership.
Ireland’s back three of Hugo Keenan at full-back and Mack Hansen and James Lowe on the wings is unchanged from the victory over Wales in Cardiff.
Joining Kelleher on the bench against France will be Dave Kilcoyne, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson, Jack Conan, Craig Casey, Ross Byrne and Bundee Aki.
50 up for Ireland trio in Dublin
Prop Porter, second-row Ryan and replacement loosehead prop Kilcoyne are set to earn their 50th caps for Ireland on Saturday. Both Porter and Ryan made their international debuts against the USA in New Jersey in June 2017, while Kilcoyne earned his debut against South Africa in November 2012.
Ireland currently lead the Six Nations standings on points difference following their bonus-point triumph at the Principality Stadium, with Scotland and France also on five points having claimed maximum hauls against England and Italy respectively in Round One.
Ireland: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 James Lowe, 10 Johnny Sexton (c) 9 Conor Murray, 8 Caelan Doris, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 5 James Ryan, 4 Tadhg Beirne, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Rob Herring, 1 Andrew Porter
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Tom O’Toole, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Bundee Aki
Date: Saturday, February 11
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off: 14:15 GMT
Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Jordan Way (RA), Matthew Carley (RFU)
TMO: Brendon Pickerill (WRU)
READ MORE: Six Nations: Francois Cros returns in one of two changes to France’s matchday squad to face Ireland
The article Ireland: Dan Sheehan ruled out of massive Six Nations clash with France as Rob Herring starts appeared first on Planetrugby.com.
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