Ireland confirm matchday squad for Six Nations opener against France
Peter O'Mahony will be captaining Ireland against France
©PA
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has confirmed the matchday squad for the upcoming Six Nations opener against France to be played on 3rd February at Orange Vélodrome.
Jack Crowley has been handed the role of fly-half taking over from former skipper Johnny Sexton, who announced his retirement following the World Cup last year. He has nine caps to his name and will make his full Six Nations debut.
Skipper Peter O'Mahony starts at back row that also has Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris while Joe McCarthy will make his Six Nations debut in the second row partnering with Tadhg Beirne.
Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong are selected in the front row while Jamison Gibson-Park partners Crowley at halfback.
James Lowe starts at left wing with Munster wing Calvin Nash making his Six Nations debut will don the number 14 jersey while Robbie Henshaw and Bundee Aki form midfield partnership with Hugo Keenan at fullback.
Cian Healy, who missed the World Cup due to a calf injury is on the bench that also has Ronan Kelleher, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Jack Conan, Conor Murray and Ciaran Frawley.
Ireland XV: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 James Lowe, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park; 1 Andrew Porter, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Joe McCarthy, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 6 Peter O'Mahony (c), 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Caelan Doris.
Reserves: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 James Ryan, 20 Ryan Baird, 21 Jack Conan, 22 Conor Murray, 23 Ciaran Frawley.
