Confirmation that Ireland will go into Saturday’s game without two top forwards, and Lions.
Tadhg Furlong and Iain Henderson will sit out Ireland’s Six Nations clash with Wales.
The news was confirmed when Joe Schmidt announced his Ireland team at Carton House this afternoon.
As predicted, Andrew Porter starts at tighthead while James Ryan is drafted into the second row. The other changes from the Italy game include the returns of Cian Healy and CJ Stander to the starting XV and Chris Farrell coming in for the injured Robbie Henshaw.
That Italy victory truly came at a cost with three Lions – Henshaw, Furlong and Henderson – all picking up knocks.
IRELAND
Rob Kearney
Keith Earls
Chris Farrell
Bundee Aki
Jacob StockdaleJohnny Sexton
Conor MurrayCian Healy
Rory Best (captain)
Andrew PorterDevin Toner
James RyanPeter O’Mahony
Dan Leavy
CJ Stander
Replacements: Niall Scanell, Jack McGrath, John Ryan, Quinn Roux, Jack Conan, Kieran Marmion, Joey Carbery, Fergus McFadden.
