Munster wing Calvin Nash and Leinster lock Joe McCarthy will make their 6 Countries debuts in Ireland’s champion opener versus France however centre Garry Ringrose loses out due to a shoulder problem.
Jack Crowley has actually been chosen at fly-half for Friday night’s curtain-raiser in Marseille following the retirement of previous captain Johnny Sexton after the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Andy Farrell’s beginning XV, led by flanker Peter O’Mahony, reveals simply 4 modifications from Ireland’s 28-24 quarter-final defeat to New Zealand on October 14, with Robbie Henshaw coming in for the sidelined Ringrose in the other modification.
The 29-year-old Leinster co-captain is anticipated to be back in contention for the round-two clash with Italy on February 11. His lack sees Henshaw go back to midfield, along with 2023 World Rugby gamer of the year candidate Bundee Aki.
Munster No 10 Crowley, who has 9 worldwide caps, will make his complete 6 Countries launching to stake his claim as long-lasting follower to Sexton. The 24-year-old’s just previous action in the champion was a three-minute cameo versus Italy 12 months back.
Ciaran Frawley, who, like Nash, won his one and just Check cap by beginning versus the Azzurri last summer season, will supply fly-half cover from the bench, while Harry Byrne – the more youthful bro of the hurt Ross Byrne – need to wait on his chance.
Calvin Nash gets a chance on the wing for Ireland versus France.
Title-holders Ireland beat France 32-19 in Dublin last February en path to dismissing their competitors as Grand Slam champs.
Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong continue in a the same front row, with fellow Leinster gamers Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris signing up with brand-new skipper O’Mahony at the base of the pack.
Jamison Gibson-Park maintains the scrum-half function ahead of Conor Murray, with James Lowe on the left wing and Hugo Keenan at full-back.
Jack Crowley is called at fly-half for Ireland.
Veteran prop Cian Healy goes back to the bench at Stade Velodrome after missing out on the World Cup with a calf injury. The 36-year-old loosehead is signed up with by Ronan Kelleher, Finlay Bealham, Ryan, Ryan Baird, Jack Conan, Murray and Frawley.
France head coach Fabien Galthie called his group previously on Wednesday, with Maxime Lucu replacing Antoine Dupont, who is missing this year’s 6 Countries to get ready for representing Les Bleus in the rugby 7s competition at the Paris Olympics, at scrum-half.
France vs Ireland groups
France: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Yoram Moefana, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Maxime Lucu; 1 Cyril Baille, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 3 Uini Atonio, 4 Paul Gabrillagues, 5 Paul Willemse, 6 Francois Cros, 7 Charles Ollivon, 8 Gregory Alldritt (c).
Replacements: 16 Julien Marchand, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Cameron Woki, 21 Paul Boudehent, 22 Nolann Le Garrec, 23 Louis Bielle-Biarrey.
Ireland: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 James Lowe, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park; 1 Andrew Porter, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Joe McCarthy, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 6 Peter O’Mahony (c), 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Caelan Doris.
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 James Ryan, 20 Ryan Baird, 21 Jack Conan, 22 Conor Murray, 23 Ciaran Frawley.
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