Joey Carbery will start the first Guinness Six Nations game of his career after being named at fly-half for Ireland’s Round 2 clash against France, with skipper Johnny Sexton ruled out through injury.
Sexton misses out after suffering a hamstring strain in training on Wednesday, giving Munster No.10 Carbery the opportunity to pull the strings in a crucial Championship clash.
The 26-year-old started on the bench in the impressive 29-7 victory over Wales on the opening weekend but he will be out there from the off in a clash between two of the Championship favourites, with Connacht fly-half Jack Carty taking his place among the replacements.
The rest of Ireland’s starting XV remains unchanged from the Round 1 triumph, with Carbery partnered by Jamison Gibson-Park in the half-backs, Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose continuing their midfield partnership and Hugo Keenan, Andrew Conway and last week’s wonder debutant Mack Hansen forming an explosive back three.
Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher and Tadhg Furlong make up the front row, Tadhg Beirne and James Ryan – who takes the captain’s armband in place of Sexton – are the locks, with Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan in the back row.
There are two further changes among the replacements in addition to Carty, as 65-cap lock Iain Henderson comes in for Ryan Baird and centre Robbie Henshaw is fit enough to replace James Hume.
Ireland team to face France in Round 2 of the 2022 Guinness Six Nations 15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster) 17 caps14. Andrew Conway (Munster) 28 caps13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster) 38 caps12. Bundee Aki (Connacht) 34 caps11. Mack Hansen (Connacht) 1 cap10. Joey Carbery (Munster) 28 caps9. Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster) 13 caps 1. Andrew Porter (Leinster) 41 caps2. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster) 17 caps3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster) 53 caps4. Tadhg Beirne (Munster) 26 caps5. James Ryan (Leinster) 41 caps – CAPTAIN6. Caelan Doris (Leinster) 13 caps7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster) 36 caps8. Jack Conan (Leinster) 23 caps Replacements16. Dan Sheehan (Leinster) 3 caps17. Cian Healy (Leinster) 113 caps18. Finlay Bealham (Connacht) 19 caps19. Iain Henderson (Ulster) 65 caps20. Peter O’Mahony (Munster) 80 caps21. Conor Murray (Munster) 93 caps22. Jack Carty (Connacht) 10 caps23. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster) 53 caps
