Andy Farrell has named a team his 23-man Ireland squad to take on England in the Six Nations at Twickenham on Saturday evening, and it contains a few interesting selections.
There are six changes from the team which defeated Italy a fortnight ago.
Johnny Sexton, who confirmed during the week that he will retire after next year's World Cup, returns at out-half to captain the team following Joey Carbery's starts against Italy and France.
Your Ireland XV for this weekend's massive Six Nations clash with England 🤩
Has Farrell got the selection right? 🤔
| Brought to you by @ChicagoTownIre #SIXNATIONSUGBY #ENGvIRE🤔 pic.twitter.com/OWqM5QSV3M— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) March 10, 2022
Hugo Keenan returns in place of Michael Lowry at fullback while Andrew Conway comes into the team on the wing with Mack Hansen missing out. The fourth change in the backs sees Bundee Aki comes in for Robbie Henshaw at inside centre.
In the forwards, Cian Healy starts at loosehead prop in place of the injured Andrew Porter while James Ryan, back from injury, comes in for Ryan Baird in the second row. Peter O'Mahony, who started against Italy, retains his spot in the backrow.
Both Ireland and England head into this weekend still holding ambitions of winning this year's Six Nations championship.
Ireland team to play England - 2022 Six Nations
15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 18 caps
14. Andrew Conway (Munster/Garryowen) 29 caps
13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD) 40 caps
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht/Galwegians) 35 caps
11. James Lowe (Leinster) 10 caps
10. Johnny Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 103 caps CAPTAIN
9. Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster) 15 caps
1. Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf) 114 caps
2. Dan Sheehan (Leinster/Lansdowne) 5 caps
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf) 55 caps
4. Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne) 28 caps
5. James Ryan (Leinster/UCD) 42 caps
6. Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution) 82 caps
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD) 38 caps
8. Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 15 caps
Replacements
16. Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 24 caps
17. Dave Kilcoyne (Munster/UL Bohemians) 46 caps
18. Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers) 21 caps
19. Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy) 66 caps
20. Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere) 25 caps
21. Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen) 94 caps
22. Joey Carbery (Munster/Clontarf) 30 caps
23. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster/Buccaneers) 55 caps
Ireland's Six Nations clash with Italy kicks off at 4:45pm on Saturday evening. The game will be shown live on RTÉ2. Their coverages begins at 4pm.
Photos by Sportsfile
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