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Bundee Aki returns as Ireland make four changes for Triple Crown decider
By Josh Raisey
James Ryan has been ruled out of Ireland’s Triple Crown decider in round five of the Guinness Six Nations against Scotland on Saturday with a calf injury, as Andy Farrell has made four changes for the clash in Dublin.
In Ryan’s place in the second-row, fellow British and Irish Lion Joe McCarthy will return to the starting XV having been on the bench for the 27-17 win over Wales.
Two more Lions, Dan Sheehan and Josh van der Flier, will also return to the starting XV, with Ronan Kelleher and Nick Timoney dropping to the bench.
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Of the backline which started against Wales in the round four victory, there has been one change, with Tommy O’Brien returning to the squad after a mightily impressive performance against England in round three. He will take Jacob Stockdale’s place.
The bench will also welcome Bundee Aki for the first time this Championship. The centre was eligible to play in round four after serving his four-match ban, but appears to be behind the in-form Stuart McCloskey in the pecking order.
“It is an incredible privilege for the squad to play at home in front of a packed Aviva Stadium with a trophy up for grabs,” Farrell said. “We know about the challenge facing us on Saturday and Scotland will travel with confidence.
“You’ll see two teams who like to attack and we’ll look to implement our game plan to get the performance that we want. When you factor in a loud home support, and with the game taking place on St Patrick’s weekend, it really has all the ingredients for a cracking contest.”
Ireland XV:
15 Jamie Osborne, 14 Rob Baloucoune, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Tommy O’Brien, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 1 Tom O’Toole, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Joe McCarthy, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 6 Jack Conan, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Caelan Doris
Replacements:
16 Rónan Kelleher, 17 Michael Milne, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Darragh Murray, 20 Nick Timoney, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Ciaran Frawley, 23 Bundee Aki
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