Sam Prendergast has got the nod at fly half for Ireland’s Six Nations opener with France in Paris, with head coach Andy Farrell naming a new-look backline.
Prendergast is preferred to Leinster teammate Harry Byrne and Munster’s Jack Crowley at No 10, with elder brother Cian also included as the starting blindside flanker.
James Lowe is left out with Jacob Stockdale installed on the left wing as part of a back three that also includes Tommy O’Brien and Jamie Osborne with Mack Hansen and Hugo Keenan absent through injury.
Stuart McCloskey partners Garry Ringrose in midfield after Bundee Aki’s suspension, but there is no Tadhg Furlong, with Thomas Clarkson and Jeremy Loughman the starting props amid significant injury issues for Farrell in the front row.
Six forwards are named among the replacements as Ireland look to match France’s bench strength, including Test British and Irish Lions in Ronan Kelleher, James Ryan and Jack Conan.
“I’ve been pleased with the application of the squad since we linked up last week and we’ve a good body of work under our belts from our training camp in Portugal as we face into an exciting test match against France,” Farrell said. “The Six Nations is an amazing tournament to compete in and it brings out the best in players.
“We have played at the Stade de France many times and it’s a terrific stadium with an incredible atmosphere. We know from our experiences on the road how proud and vocal the travelling Irish support can be and it’s a huge motivator for the squad knowing that we have so many Irish supporters behind us.”
France, meanwhile, will be led by Antoine Dupont as the scrum half returns to international action for the first time since tearing his ACL in this fixture in Dublin last year.
Dorian Aldegheri is handed a start at tighthead after the retirement of Uini Atonio following his heart attack, while Charles Ollivon and Mickael Guillard are paired in the second row.
Matthieu Jalibert will steer a backline containing plenty of Bordeaux Begles influence from fly half, with Theo Attissogbe lining up on the wing after the omission of Damian Penaud from Fabien Galthie’s squad for the tournament.
France XV to face Irelaand in Paris (Thursday 5 February, 8.15pm GMT): 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros, 2 Julien Marchand, 3 Dorian Aldegheri; 4 Charles Ollivon, 5 Mickael Guillard; 6 Francois Cros, 7 Oscar Jegou, 8 Anthony Jelonch; 9 Antoine Dupont (capt.), 10 Matthieu Jalibert; 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 12 Yoram Moefana, 13 Nicolas Depoortere, 14 Theo Attissogbe; 15 Thomas Ramos.
Replacements: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Rodrigue Neti, 18 Regis Montagne, 19 Hugo Auradou, 20 Emmanuel Meafou, 21 Lenni Nouchi; 22 Baptiste Serin, 23 Kalvin Gourgues.
Ireland XV: 1 Jeremy Loughman, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Thomas Clarkson; 4 Joe McCarthy, 5 Tadhg Beirne; 6 Cian Prendergast, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Caelan Doris (capt.); 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 10 Sam Prendergast; 11 Jacob Stockdale, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 13 Garry Ringrose, 14 Tommy O’Brien; 15 Jamie Osborne.
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Michael Milne, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 James Ryan, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Nick Timoney; 22 Craig Casey, 23 Jack Crowley.
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