Farrell Names Ireland Team To Face Wales At Aviva Stadium

Head Coach Andy Farrell has named the Ireland Match Day Squad, sponsored by Vodafone, for Friday night’s Guinness Men’s Six Nations clash against Wales at a sold-out Aviva Stadium (Kick-off 8.10pm).

Following a bonus point win in London last time out, Ireland return home to Aviva Stadium to continue their Championship campaign against Wales, with two players in line for milestone caps.

Jamison Gibson-Park will win his 50th Test cap in green, while uncapped Ulster scrum-half Nathan Doak is in line for his Ireland debut off the bench.

Also among the replacements are Ulster’s Tom Stewart and Munster centre Tom Farrell, who are both set for their first Six Nations appearance.

Jamie Osborne, Robert Baloucoune and Jacob Stockdale start in Ireland’s back three, with Garry Ringrose and Stuart McCloskey continuing their midfield partnership. Out-half Jack Crowley starts alongside Gibson-Park in the half backs.

In the pack, Tom O’Toole, Rónan Kelleher and Tadhg Furlong start in the front row, with James Ryan and Tadhg Beirne in the engine room and Jack Conan, Nick Timoney and captain Caelan Doris in the back row.

Farrell has plenty of experience to call on as Stewart, Michael Milne, Thomas Clarkson, Joe McCarthy and Josh van der Flier make up the forward replacements, with backs Doak, Farrell and Ciaran Frawley completing the Match Day 23.

Jeremy Loughman (calf) is unavailable for selection.

Andy Farrell said: “We have two special milestones in the squad this week at opposite ends of the scrum-half spectrum. I would firstly like to congratulate Nathan on his first international selection. Nathan has been around a few Ireland camps in recent years and has impressed with the consistency and quality of his play in training and with Ulster over a longer period.

“I know how much this means to Nathan and we are determined to make this a special few days for him and his family. Also, Jamison becomes the 61st Irish international to reach the 50-cap mark which is an incredible achievement for a top-class professional. I have no doubt that both players are excited to get out in front of a packed Aviva Stadium on Friday night.”

Friday’s match is live on RTÉ2 and ITV, with live radio commentary available on RTÉ Radio 1.

Ireland:

15. Jamie Osborne (Naas/Leinster)(13)
14. Robert Baloucoune (Enniskillen/Ulster)(6)
13. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster)(72)
12. Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/Ulster)(26)
11. Jacob Stockdale (Lurgan/Ulster)(41)
10. Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster)(33)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)(49)

1. Tom O’Toole (Ballynahinch/Ulster)(19)
2. Rónan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster)(46)
3. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster)(84)
4. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster)(79)
5. Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster)(68)
6. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)(57)
7. Nick Timoney (Queen’s University/Ulster)(9)
8. Caelan Doris (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)(captain)(58)

Replacements:

16. Tom Stewart (Ballynahinch/Ulster)(4)
17. Michael Milne (Nenagh Ormond/Munster)(3)
18. Thomas Clarkson (Blackrock College/Leinster)(12)
19. Joe McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster)(22)
20. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster)(77)
21. Nathan Doak (Banbridge/Ulster)*
22. Tom Farrell (Lansdowne/Munster)(2)
23. Ciaran Frawley (UCD/Leinster)(10)

* denotes uncapped