6 Nations
PREVIEW: Ireland Make Three Changes for Welsh Showdown
Ireland have made three changes to their stating line-up for their visit to Wales
Ireland have made three alterations for their final Six Nations game against Wales at the Principality Stadium at 14 45 on Saturday.
The visitors know that a win coupled with anything less than a win for England against Scotland will see them retain their title but will face an unchanged Welsh side searching for a Grand Slam.
Ireland’s front-three remains the same as last week with Cian Healy and Tadhg Furlong knuckling down alongside captain Rory Best, who will make his 64th and last Six Nations appearance for Ireland.
Tadhg Beirne replaces Iain Henderson in the second-row to make his debut in the competition, with Henderson dropping out of the 23, while last weekend’s man of the match James Ryan retains his place.
There is one change in the back-row too as Sean O’Brien comes in to replace the injured Josh Van Der Flier. He is joined by Peter O’Mahony and CJ Stander.
Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton line-up in the half-backs once more, with Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose outside them in the centre.
Jacob Stockdale and Keith Earls continue on the wings, as a fit again Rob Kearney takes the place of Jordan Larmour to complete the XV.
There is a huge amount of strength for the men in green on the bench too with Niall Scannell, Dave Kilcoyne, Andrew Porter, Quinn Roux, Jack Conan, Kieran Marmion, Jack Carty and Larmour all ready to go.
#GuinnessSixNations
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) March 14, 2019
Here's the Ireland team for the final round of the @SixNationsRugby Championship.#TeamOfUs #WALvIRE #ShoulderToShoulder pic.twitter.com/Y1KZDYfb7Y
Speaking ahead of the clash head coach Joe Schmidt described Ireland’s unfortunate run of injuries as a positive as he has got to try out other players.
“It’s just a case of slotting people in and as I’ve said all through the Six Nations, it’s been a really positive challenge for us to see if we can mix and match players and still try to get some cohesion,” he said.
The hosts have named an unchanged squad to the one that defeated Scotland 18-11 last Saturday.
That means that it’s Rob Evans, Ken Owens and Tomas Francais in the front-row, with Adam Beard and captain Alun Wyn Jones pairing up behind them in the second-row.
Josh Navidi, Justin Tupuric and Ross Moriarty complete the pack from the back-row.
Gareth Davies is at scrum-half, with Gareth Anscombe at 10. Hadleigh Parkes and Jonathan Davies continue in the centre, with Josh Adams and George North on the wings and Liam Williams at 15.
The replacements are Elliot Dee, Dillion Lewis, Nicky Smith, Jake Ball, Aaron Wainwright, Aled Davies, Dan Biggar and Owen Watkin.
Head coach Warren Gatland explained that he hasn’t made any changes as he believes these players have earned their place.
“We’ve named an unchanged squad and rewarded the players for the last couple of outings and the last couple of victories. These players are on a very good run, they are a hugely impressive group and they deserve to be going into the final weekend with everything to play for,” he said.
Wales will be looking to seal a grand slam when the reigning champions come to town on Saturday but will face a rejuvenated Irish side holding on to the slim hope of retaining their title.
For both teams it will be their final Six Nations match under their respective coaches with both seeking to end on a high. Especially Schmidt, who is aiming to win his first game against the Welsh in Cardiff on his third and final attempt for Ireland.
The stakes couldn’t be higher heading into the last round of fixtures and with things coming to an end on more than one front it should be a cracker of a game.
The Ireland coaching group have made seven changes to the side that started against France in round 2 of the 2021 Guinness Six Nations Championship. There are two uncapped players in the replacements.
Craig Casey, who was on the bench for the game against France, and Ryan Baird are in line for their first international caps in Stadio Olimpico on Saturday afternoon.
Johnny Sexton returns to captain the side and partners Jamison Gibson Park in the halfbacks.
This weekend has come too soon for Conor Murray who is continuing his hamstring rehab.
Robbie Henshaw, who earns his 50th cap for Ireland, will again partner Garry Ringrose in the midfield. Henshaw made his Ireland debut against USA on the 2013 Summer Tour, a few days before his 20th birthday.
Hugo Keenan retains the No.15 jersey with James Lowe on the left wing and Jordan Larmour coming in on the right hand side.
A new front row combination of Dave Kilcoyne, Ronan Kelleher and Tadgh Furlong is set to start.
James Ryan returns to the second row to partner Iain Henderson.
Tadgh Beirne shifts to the backrow filling the blindside role with Will Connors at openside and CJ Stander at No.8.
The replacements for the weekend are Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Andrew Porter, Jack Conan, Billy Burns, Keith Earls and the uncapped duo of Baird and Casey
IRELAND Team & Replacements (v Italy, 2021 Guinness Six Nations Championship, Stadio Olimpico , Saturday, February 27, kick-off 2:15pm):
Player/Club/Province/Caps –
15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 8 caps
14. Jordan Larmour (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 26 caps
13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD) 32 caps
12. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster/Buccaneers) 49 caps
11. James Lowe (Leinster) 4 caps
10. Jonathan Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 96 caps CAPTAIN
9. Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster) 7 caps
1. Dave Kilcoyne (Munster/UL Bohemians) 40 caps
2. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne) 8 caps
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf) 46 caps
4. Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy) 60 caps
5. James Ryan (Leinster/UCD) 33 caps
6. Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne) 19 caps
7. Will Connors (Leinster/UCD) 7 caps
8. CJ Stander (Munster/Shannon) 48 caps
Replacements
16. Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 18 caps
17. Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf) 106 caps
18. Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD) 34 caps
19. Ryan Baird (Leinster/Dublin University) uncapped
20. Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere) 17 caps
21. Craig Casey (Munster/Shannon) uncapped
22. Billy Burns (Ulster) 5 caps
23. Keith Earls (Munster/Young Munster) 90 caps
Eddie Jones has named his side for this weekend’s key Guinness Six Nations match against Wales.
England will travel to Cardiff to take on Wales at the Principality Stadium on Saturday 27 February (4.45pm KO).
Elliot Daly is set to make his 50th appearance for England, at full back. Daly made his England debut in February 2016 in a 21-10 victory over Ireland.
Captain Owen Farrell is at inside centre, Henry Slade at outside centre and George Ford stays at fly half. Ben Youngs continues at scrum half, with Jonny May (left) and Anthony Watson (right) on the wings.
Jamie George returns at hooker, with Mako Vunipola and Kyle Sinckler as props alongside in the front row. Maro Itoje and Jonny Hill stay in the second row.
Mark Wilson starts as blind-side flanker, Tom Curry is open-side flanker and Billy Vunipola continues at No. 8.
George Martin could make his England debut after being named as finisher. Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, Charlie Ewels, Ben Earl, Dan Robson and Max Malins make up the finishers.
Eddie Jones said: “Wales is a really special fixture and rivalry. There is a long history between the two nations and the game means a lot to both countries.
“We know we’ll be up against a strong Welsh challenge on Saturday, but we’ve worked really hard in training this week and have got a very good team to face it.
“We want to show people what we are capable of, keep building our performances and the best is yet to come from this England team.”
In their remaining championship fixtures, England will then play France at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday 13 March (4.45pm KO) before travelling to Dublin to take on Ireland on Saturday 20 March (4.45pm KO).
Wales v England is live on BBC One and BBC Radio 5 Live.
England XV Starters
15. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 49 caps)
14. Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 48 caps)
13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 36 caps)
12. Owen Farrell (Saracens, 90 caps)
11. Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 63 caps)
10. George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 74 caps)
9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 106 caps)
1. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 64 caps)
2. Jamie George (Saracens, 56 caps)
3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 41 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 45 caps)
5. Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, 6 caps)
6. Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons, 20 caps)
7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 30 caps)
8. Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 58 caps)
Finishers
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 28 caps)
17. Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 25 caps)
18. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 10 caps)
19. Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 18 caps)
20. George Martin (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
21. Ben Earl (Bristol Bears, 10 caps)
22. Dan Robson (Wasps, 9 caps)
23. Max Malins (Bristol Bears, 5 caps)
ENDS
Ulster captain, Iain Henderson, who has represented the province on 116 occasions, has secured his future with the club for the next two years.
Craigavon-born Henderson, who took up the role of Ulster captain in 2019, has progressed through the Ulster development system. Starting with mini rugby at Academy RFC, his early playing career saw him reach the final of the Danske Bank Schools Cup in 2010 with Belfast Royal Academy, represent Queen’s University Belfast as well as Ireland at Age-Grade level, before quickly rising through the ranks of senior professional rugby in the province.
Iain, who captained Ireland for the first time against France in this year’s Guinness Six Nations, made his international debut against South Africa in November 2012 and has won 60 caps to date for his country.
A Lions tourist in 2017, Iain succeeded Rory Best as Ulster captain in 2019.
David Nucifora, IRFU Performance Director, commented,
“Over the past few seasons Iain has really developed into a leader within both the Ireland and Ulster squads. He is part of the national leadership group, captaining Ireland recently for the first time and we are delighted to have ensured that he continues his career in Ireland.”
Iain Henderson, commented,
“It has been a great honour to captain both Ulster and Ireland in recent times. Irish rugby is in a good place despite the disruption the sport has experienced during the pandemic. As professionals, we have been in a privileged position to be able to continue playing and I know we all hope to see supporters back in the Aviva and Kingspan in the near future.”
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