Caelan Doris will make his international debut at No.8 after Andy Farrell named his matchday 23 for Ireland’s Guinness Six Nations opener against Scotland in Dublin this weekend.
Back-rower Doris is one of two uncapped players in Farrell’s first 23 as Ireland boss, with Leinster teammate Ronan Kelleher set to take his place on the bench at the Aviva Stadium.
Former Ireland Under-20s captain Doris – who is just 21 years old – taking his place at No.8 means CJ Stander switches to blindside flanker, with Josh van der Flier at No.7 and 64-cap Peter O’Mahony on the bench.
Here’s the Ireland team to play Scotland in the opening round of the #GuinnessSixNations in @AVIVAStadium on Saturday.
Two uncapped players: Caelan Doris & Ronan Kelleher.#ShoulderToShoulder pic.twitter.com/Ar7nLV7Krs
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) January 28, 2020
Johnny Sexton will captain the side from fly-half – taking over the armband from the now-retired Rory Best – and will partner Conor Murray in the half-backs, with Ulster’s in-form scrum-half John Cooney named among the replacements.
Andrew Conway gets the nod on the wing opposite Jacob Stockdale, while Rob Herring is the hooker following Best’s retirement.
Iain Henderson and James Ryan will start in the second row but Devin Toner, who missed out on selection to the World Cup, is back in favour under Farrell and takes his place on the bench.
It is Farrell’s first Championship in charge after Joe Schmidt left his role following last autumn’s World Cup and Ireland will look to replicate the result that saw them win 22-13 at BT Murrayfield 12 months ago.
Ireland squad to face Scotland – Aviva Stadium, Saturday 1st February 2020, KO 16.45
15. Jordan Larmour (Leinster) 21 caps
14. Andrew Conway (Munster) 18 caps
13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster) 28 caps
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht) 23 caps
11. Jacob Stockdale (Ulster) 25 caps
10. Jonathan Sexton (Leinster) 88 caps (Captain)
9. Conor Murray (Munster) 78 caps
1. Cian Healy (Leinster) 95 caps
2. Rob Herring (Ulster) 8 caps
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster) 41 caps
4. Iain Henderson (Ulster) 53 caps
5. James Ryan (Leinster) 23 caps
6. CJ Stander (Munster) 38 caps
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster) 23 caps
8. Caelan Doris (Leinster) Uncapped
Replacements:
16. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster) Uncapped
17. Dave Kilcoyne (Munster) 36 caps
18. Andrew Porter (Leinster) 23 caps
19. Devin Toner (Leinster) 67 caps
20. Peter O’Mahony (Munster) 64 caps
21. John Cooney (Ulster) 8 caps
22. Ross Byrne (Leinster) 3 caps
23. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster) 40 caps
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Source: 6 Nations