Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen
Comments
-
-
-
-
-
-
Advertisement
-
-
-
Hugo Keenan still a Twickenham doubt as Andy Farrell set to stick with 6/2 bench split
Rúaidhrí O’Connor
March 07 2024 02:30 AM
Andy Farrell is set to stick with a 6/2 bench split of forwards and backs for Ireland’s visit to Twickenham when he names his side this afternoon.
The coach will give Hugo Keenan as much time as possible to recover from his knee injury, with Ciarán Frawley on standby to remain in the No 15 jersey if he doesn’t make it.
If he does, then Frawley is likely wear the No 23 shirt and Farrell will be forced to choose between fit-again Garry Ringrose and incumbent Robbie Henshaw, whose form has been excellent alongside Bundee Aki in midfield.
He’s set to keep his spot and the most likely scenario would see Frawley continue at full-back with Keenan being given another week to recover for the final game of the Six Nations campaign against Scotland. In that scenario, Ringrose would wear No 23.
Such is Farrell’s faith in the bench that was first trialled against France in Marseille, with Ryan Baird’s form and Frawley’s versatility allowing them to roll six powerful forwards on during the second half.
Read More
- Ireland U-20 make four changes for Six Nations showdown with England
- Rúaidhrí O'Connor: Don’t underestimate the crucial role cohesion plays in Irish rugby’s success story
It is expected that Farrell will name an unchanged pack from the one that proved too strong for Wales, with Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong in the front-row and Joe McCarthy and Tadhg Beirne in the second-row. Peter O’Mahony will captain the side from the back-row, where he’ll join Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris.
ADVERTISEMENT
Behind the scrum, Jamison Gibson-Park and Jack Crowley will continue at half-back, with Aki and Henshaw in midfield and James Lowe and Calvin Nash either side of the full-back.
If Frawley has that role, it’s expected that Ringrose will come on to the bench at Stuart McCloskey’s expense, while Finlay Bealham is battling Oli Jager for the reserve tighthead spot.
Rónan Kelleher and Cian Healy are expected to be named as replacements, with James Ryan, Baird and Jack Conan covering the other forward positions, while Conor Murray will join Frawley or Ringrose in the reserves.
England are reportedly set to hand Exeter Chiefs winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso a first start after losing to Scotland.
Steve Borthwick is expected to retain George Ford at out-half, while powerful lock George Martin is likely to be drafted in to partner Maro Itoje.
Possible Ireland team to face England: C Frawley/ H Keenan; C Nash, R Henshaw, B Aki, J Lowe; J Crowley, J Gibson-Park; A Porter, D Sheehan, T Furlong; J McCarthy, T Beirne; P O’Mahony (capt), J van der Flier, C Doris. Reps: R Kelleher, C Healy, F Bealham, J Ryan, R Baird, J Conan, C Murray, G Ringrose/C Frawley.
Read More
- Ireland U-20 make four changes for Six Nations showdown with England
- Rúaidhrí O'Connor: Don’t underestimate the crucial role cohesion plays in Irish rugby’s success story
Read More Articles
File sent to DPP over Catriona Carey firm at centre of alleged mortgage scam
Crime
Mary McCarthy: Geri Horner doesn’t deserve to be humiliated for standing by her man amid F1’s Red Bull soap opera
Comment
‘I was dying inside. How did this happen?’ Couple fell victim to €2,800 scam that almost ruined dream wedding in Portugal
Irish news
0 -
-
-
Advertisement
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Advertisement
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Advertisement
-
