Ireland make one change for Six Nations title finale against France

Ireland have made just one change to their XV for Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations finale against France in Paris, Robbie Henshaw promoted to the starting line-up in place of the injured Garry Ringrose.

Unlucky No13 Ringrose was left with a broken jaw last Saturday following a 27th-minute collision in the win over Italy and Henshaw, who came off the bench for his provincial colleague in the 50-17 win, will now start at the Stade de France.

Henshaw’s promotion from the replacements has resulted in Chris Farrell getting called-up but there is no bench spot for John Cooney, who was called into the training squad at the start of the week due to an injury concern over reserve Jamison Gibson-Park.

Eddie Jones reflects on his England squad selection

Eddie Jones reflects on his England squad selection

The Leinster scrum-half has come right, however, and he will provide the back-up in Paris to Conor Murray on an evening where loosehead Cian Healy becomes only the sixth Ireland player ever to win 100 Test caps.

He joins an exclusive Irish centurion club featuring Brian O’Driscoll, Ronan O’Gara, Rory Best, Paul O’Connell and John Hayes.

From nerve damage that left the prop without the use of his right hand to becoming Ireland's 6??th ever Test centurion… well played, @ProperChurch ?https://t.co/9mg6PW7D4K

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 27, 2020

Ireland currently sit on top of the Six Nations table, a point clear of England and France. They travel knowing that a bonus-point win will guarantee them the title and that a win minus a bonus-point will likely see the destination of the title decided on points difference on a day when rivals England play away to Italy.

IRELAND (vs France, Saturday)
15. Jacob Stockdale (Lurgan/Ulster) 29
14. Andrew Conway (Garryowen/Munster) 22
13. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster) 44
12. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht) 27
11. Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster) 1
10. Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary’s College/Leinster) (capt) 92
9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) 82
1. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) 99
2. Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 12
3. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster) 27
4. Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster) 14
5. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster) 27
6. Caelan Doris (UCD/Leinster) 3
7. Will Connors (UCD/Leinster) 1
8. CJ Stander (Shannon/Munster) 42

Replacements:
16. Dave Heffernan (Buccaneers/Connacht) 2
17. Ed Byrne (UCD/Leinster) 1
18. Finlay Bealham (Galway Corinthians/Connacht) 10
19. Ultan Dillane (Galway Corinthians/Connacht) 16
20. Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster) 68
21. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster) 1
22. Ross Byrne (UCD/Leinster) 7
23. Chris Farrell (Munster/Young Munster) 9

EPISODE 4 of RUGBYPASS OFFLOAD #RPOffload

Citing commissioners??
Team socials ?
Away Trips and WAGS ?

iTunes – https://t.co/fgTx9iWHse
Acast – https://t.co/SR5K7kkH5B pic.twitter.com/Plmodrg3Z1

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 28, 2020