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14th February 2024
01:20pm GMT
Jack Crowley, left, starts in our Ireland team but Ryan Baird may only feature if Ireland go with a 5:3 bench split. (Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile)[/caption]
"From what we have seen in those opening games and, with Andy Farrell, if someone is not doing it in training, that is noted. Stuart McCloskey said the same - there are no egos here. If you get your opportunity, you need to take your chance. But I don't see any changes with that pack from the lads that started against France. "James Ryan got through an awful lot of work that is not often credited... that gives you the sense of what a leader he is - he didn't say anything [after being benched for France] and went about his business. He got through a heap of work... Right now, though, for the lineout and how Tadhg Beirne and big Joe (McCarthy) go about their business in the open field, they are slightly ahead. If everyone is fully fit, I would go with the same pack."When it comes to the backline, I would expect Jamison Gibson-Park and Bundee Aki to return, leaving the big areas of interest revolving around outside centre and fullback. Farrell said Robbie Henshaw, who started both games, 'has his mojo' back. Still, I would go with Garry Ringrose if he proves his fitness, as Aki-Ringrose is Ireland's best centre pairing [in my opinion]. At fullback, if Hugo Keenan is out after his knee injury, Ciarán Frawley getting the 15 jersey makes the most sense. Jordan Larmour and Jacob Stockdale are options but Farrell has tried both before, to mixed results. An update on Keenan should be forthcoming in their Thursday afternoon media session. You may notice Ross Byrne on the bench in my preferred match-day 23. If Crowley and Frawley are in our XV, I would go for the elder Byrne to take a bench spot ahead of Harry.
15. Hugo Keenan/Ciarán Frawley 14. Calvin Nash 13. Garry Ringrose 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 (captain) 7. Josh van der Flier 8. Caelan Doris Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Ross Byrne, Robbie Henshaw.Andy Farrell will name his Ireland team this Thursday afternoon (February 22).
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