Five changes expected for Ireland team after more unfortunate injury news

Ireland have some tough medicine to swallow here.

Joe Schmidt tried to assure us, following his side’s 56-19 win over Italy, that Tadhg Furlong had been brought off as precautions and that the plan was always to give Iain Henderson just a half of rugby.

That may well have been wishful thinking as both men are now outsiders to make the starting Ireland team to face Wales, on Saturday.

Schmidt will name his Ireland XV at Carton House this afternoon and could make as many as six changes from the side he sent out against Italy, on February 10.

While Robbie Henshaw is definitely ruled out – and Chris Farrell expected to wear No.13 – it is the Ireland pack that will take the brunt of those changes. Cian Healy and CJ Stander are promoted from their recent bench roles and James Ryan is set to wear No.5 after being passed fit.

The other changes are injury [or lack of full fitness] enforced. Furlong’s hamstring and Henderson’s quad injuries do not appear to have improved sufficiently against a Wales team that are likely to bring a serious tempo to this weekend’s Six Nations clash.

While Furlong’s replacement by Leinster tighthead was flagged on Wednesday, reports in various outlets, this morning, have cast real doubts over Henderson’s participation.

Should he miss out, Devin Toner will start alongside Leinster teammate Ryan and Quinn Roux of Connacht will be drafted onto the bench.

IRELAND (Predicted XV for Wales)

Rob Kearney

Keith Earls
Chris Farrell
Bundee Aki
Jacob Stockdale

Johnny Sexton
Conor Murray

Cian Healy
Rory Best (captain)
Andrew Porter

Devin Toner
James Ryan

Peter O’Mahony
Dan Leavy
CJ Stander

Replacements: Niall Scannell, Jack McGrath, John Ryan, Quinn Roux, Jack Conan, Kieran Marmion, Joey Carbery, Fergus McFadden.

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