Two Kildare stars hold their place for Ireland's Six Nations clash with Wales
Jamie Osborne and Tadhg Beirne are the last two standing from the opening day when five Kildare men took to the field for Ireland's Guinness Six Nations game with France
Ireland Head Coach Andy Farrell has named the Match Day Squad for Friday night’s Guinness Six Nations clash against Wales at a sold-out Aviva Stadium (Kick-off 8.10pm).
After being named to start in Ireland's game with Wales, Kildare pair, Jamie Osborne and Tadhg Beirne, are the last two standing from the opening day when five men from The Short Grass County took to the field for Ireland's first game with France. Athy man Jeremy Loughman started in Ireland's trouncing of England but is unavailable with a calf issue. The full starting XV and replacements are listed below.
Following a bonus point win in London last time out, Ireland return home to Aviva Stadium to continue their Championship campaign against Wales, with two players in line for milestone caps. Jamison Gibson-Park will win his 50th Test cap in green, while uncapped Ulster scrum-half Nathan Doak is in line for his Ireland debut off the bench.
Andy Farrell said: “We have two special milestones in the squad this week at opposite ends of the scrum-half spectrum. I would firstly like to congratulate Nathan on his first international selection. Nathan has been around a few Ireland camps in recent years and has impressed with the consistency and quality of his play in training and with Ulster over a longer period.
“I know how much this means to Nathan and we are determined to make this a special few days for him and his family. Also, Jamison becomes the 61st Irish international to reach the 50-cap mark which is an incredible achievement for a top-class professional. I have no doubt that both players are excited to get out in front of a packed Aviva Stadium on Friday night.”
Ireland team and replacements
15. Jamie Osborne (Naas/Leinster)(13)
14. Robert Baloucoune (Enniskillen/Ulster)(6)
13. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster)(72)
12. Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/Ulster)(26)
11. Jacob Stockdale (Lurgan/Ulster)(41)
10. Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster)(33)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)(49)
1. Tom O’Toole (Ballynahinch/Ulster)(19)
2. Rónan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster)(46)
3. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster)(84)
4. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster)(79)
5. Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster)(68)
6. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)(57)
7. Nick Timoney (Queen’s University/Ulster)(9)
8. Caelan Doris (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)(captain)(58)
Replacements:
16. Tom Stewart (Ballynahinch/Ulster)(4)
17. Michael Milne (Nenagh Ormond/Munster)(3)
18. Thomas Clarkson (Blackrock College/Leinster)(12)
19. Joe McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster)(22)
20. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster)(77)
21. Nathan Doak (Banbridge/Ulster)*
22. Tom Farrell (Lansdowne/Munster)(2)
23. Ciaran Frawley (UCD/Leinster)(10)
Friday’s match is live on RTÉ2 and ITV, with live radio commentary available on RTÉ Radio 1.