Ireland confirm starting XV for Six Nations opener against Wales

Ireland have named their side for Sunday's tie with Wales. The side, to take on the Dragons, at 3pm on Virgin Media TV, sees Munster's Tadhg Beirne named in the second row, with Peter O'Mahony at 6 and CJ Stander at 8 in place of the injured Caelan Doris.

Conor Murray remains at 9, with Keith Earls on the wing with James Lowe. The side is captained from the number 10 shirt by Johnny Sexton. 

Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose are partnered in midfield having last started a Test match together in the quarter-final of the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Hugo Keenan is selected at fullback.

Cian Healy, who makes his 50th Six Nations appearance, is joined in the front row by Rob Herring and Andrew Porter.

On the bench, former UL Bohemian Dave Kilcoyne is the sole Munster representative. 'Killer' is joined on the sidelines by Tadhg Furlong, who made his return from an 11 month injury absence with a 40 minute cameo against the Scarlets last weekend.

#TeamOfUs



Head Coach Andy Farrell has named his Ireland Match Day 23 for the opening round of the #GuinnessSixNations against Wales in Cardiff #ShoulderToShoulder #IrishRugby #WALvIRE pic.twitter.com/OPv2Abiu2c

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 5, 2021

IRELAND team to play Wales – Sunday 7th February, 2021
2021 Guinness 6 Nations Championships

15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 6 caps
14. Keith Earls (Munster/Young Munster) 88 caps
13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD) 30 caps
12. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster/Buccaneers) 47 caps
11. James Lowe (Leinster) 2 caps
10. Jonathan Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 95 caps CAPTAIN
9. Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen) 87 caps

1. Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf) 104 caps
2. Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 16 caps
3. Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD) 32 caps
4. Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne) 17 caps
5. James Ryan (Leinster/UCD) 32 caps
6. Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution) 73 caps
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD) 28 caps
8. CJ Stander (Munster/Shannon) 46 caps

Replacements
16. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne) 6 caps
17. Dave Kilcoyne (Munster/UL Bohemians) 39 caps
18. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf) 44 caps
19. Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy) 58 caps
20. Will Connors (Leinster/UCD) 5 caps
21. Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster) 5 caps
22. Billy Burns (Ulster) 3 caps
23. Jordan Larmour (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 24 caps