Six Nations: Ireland team to face Scotland is confirmed
Garry Ringrose will become the third player to wear the Ireland number 13 shirt during this season’s Six Nations after being named at outside centre.
The 23-year-old has finally fully shaken off ankle trouble suffered in January, and slots into midfield to ease the loss of Robbie Henshaw, Chris Farrell and Jared Payne.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdLeinster star Henshaw dislocated his right shoulder in Ireland’s 56-19 win over Italy on February 10, and Munster’s Farrell - who replaced Henshaw for the 37-27 win over Wales - tore knee ligaments in training.
Ulster centre Payne, meanwhile, has not played since last summer’s Lions tour to New Zealand, having suffered persistent headaches.
Ireland coach Joe Schmidt conceded Ringrose’s selection after just an hour of club rugby with Leinster since January was “needs-must” given the team’s injury problems.
“There’s always concerns about players for different reasons, and Garry’s only had six games in this entire season,” Schmidt said.
“That’s something you calculate in but sometimes you don’t have the luxury of a plethora of options.
“Garry’s been extraordinary when he has played for us, he’s done a great job. We’re hoping he can hit the ground running and get straight back into that form.
“He’s a smart player, and hopefully he can get the balance between when he has to work hard and when he can get a breather back on the pitch.
“It’s a needs-must situation, but it’s a situation where we’ve got a lot of trust and faith in Garry.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdBritish and Irish Lions duo Tadhg Furlong and Iain Henderson also return after hamstring problems - although Henderson only to the bench, with youngster James Ryan partnering Devin Toner at lock.
Henderson had been widely tipped to slot straight back into the starting line-up, but Schmidt has kept faith with his most-selected player in Toner.
The 31-year-old will this weekend make his 44th Ireland start under Schmidt, in the Kiwi coach’s 54th match at the helm.
Pivotal half-backs Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton have also shrugged off knocks in time for Saturday’s Aviva Stadium encounter, where Ireland will chase a fourth successive win in this year’s competition.
Ireland, looking to claim a first Grand Slam in nine years, are currently top of the table on 14 points, five more than second-placed England, who they face in their final match at Twickenham on March 17.
Ireland Team & Replacements v Scotland (NatWest 6 Nations Championship, Aviva Stadium, Saturday, March 10, 2.15)
15. Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster) 81 caps
14. Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster) 65 caps
13. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster) 11 caps
12. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht) 5 caps
11. Jacob Stockdale (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 7 caps
10. Johnny Sexton (St Mary’s College/Leinster) 71 caps
9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) 62 caps
1. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) 76 caps
2. Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) 109 caps
3. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster) 21 caps
4. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster) 6 caps
5. Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster) 56 caps
6. Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster) 45 caps
7. Dan Leavy (UCD/Leinster) 7 caps
8. CJ Stander (Shannon/Munster) 21 caps
Replacements
16. Sean Cronin (St Mary’s College/Leinster) 59 caps
17. Jack McGrath (St Mary’s College/Leinster) 45 caps
18. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster) 5 caps
19. Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 36 caps
20. Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster) 18 caps
21. Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht) 19 caps
22. Joey Carbery (Clontarf/Leinster) 8 caps
23. Jordan Larmour (St Mary’s College/Leinster) 1 cap