Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Dublin Live
Dublin Live
Sport
David Donnelly

James Ryan returns from injury but Robbie Henshaw out of 23 for Ireland's 6 Nations opener with Wales

James Ryan returns to the Ireland starting line-up for this weekend’s Six Nations opener with Wales but Robbie Henshaw misses out entirely having struggled with a knock all week.

Lock Ryan hasn’t played since pulling out of the warm-up ahead of Leinster’s record 89-7 Champions Cup win over Montpellier last month.

He joins Tadhg Beirne in a dynamic second row, while Leinster’s Ryan Baird is named on the bench in place of the injured Ulster captain Iain Henderson.

Connacht's Australia-born wing Mack Hansen will make his debut on the left wing, with Munster’s Andrew Conway on the opposite flank and Hugo Keenan at full back.

There are 11 Leinster starters in all, with Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher and fit-again Tadhg Furlong named in the front row.

The back row consists of number eight Jack Conon alongside European Player of the Year nominees Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier.

Connacht’s Bundee Akin partners Garry Ringrose in midfield, while Johnny Sexton and Jamison Gibson-Park make up an all-Leinster half-back pairing.

Joey Carbery, who hasn’t played since December after elbow surgery, is preferred to Jack Carty on the bench, where he’s joined by Munster half-back partner Conor Murray.

Wales have also named their team as they deal with an injury crisis that sees captain Alun-Wyn Jones, Leigh Halfpenny and Taulupe Faletau among the absentees.

An all-new back row sees Ellis Jenkins joined by the exciting young openside Taine Basham and number eight Aaron Wainwright.

Like Ireland, Wales are captained by their out-half in Dan Biggar, who is joined in the half-backs by Tomos Williams.

Their main threat will come from a livewire back three that features full-back Liam Williams, the lightning-quick Lions tourist Louis Rees-Zamit and Johnny McNicholl.

Kick-off on Saturday at the Aviva Stadium in 2.15pm.

Ireland: Hugo Keenan; Andrew Conway, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, Mack Hansen; Johnny Sexton (capt), Jamison Gibson Park; Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong; Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan; Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan

Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, Ryan Baird, Peter O'Mahony, Conor Murray, Joey Carbery, James Hume.

Wales: 15. Liam Williams, 14. Johnny McNicholl, 13. Josh Adams, 12. Nick Tompkins, 11. Louis Rees-Zammit, 10. Dan Biggar (capt), 9. Tomos Williams, 1. Wyn Jones, 2. Ryan Elias, 3. Tomas Francis, 4. Will Rowlands, 5. Adam Beard, 6. Ellis Jenkins, 7. Taine Basham, 8. Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements: 16. Dewi Lake, 17. Gareth Thomas, 18. Dillon Lewis, 19. Seb Davies, 20. Ross Moriarty, 21. Gareth Davies, 22. Callum Sheedy, 23. Owen Watkin.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.