Ireland forced to make 2 late changes to their starting XV

Ulster pair Iain Henderson and Jacob Stockdale have been ruled out of the Ireland team for Friday night’s Autumn Nations Cup opener against Wales in Dublin.

Second row Henderson had been recalled by Andy Farrell after he missed the recent conclusion to the Guinness Six Nations due to a suspension picked up for a needless red card while playing in the PRO14 last month with Ulster. 

The IRFU have reported that an unspecified medical issue has ruled Henderson, resulting in the promotion of reserve lock Quinn Roux from the bench. 

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Meanwhile, Stockdale presented with calf soreness and he was also ruled out following a scan. He has been replaced by Andrew Conway, who wasn’t initially in the matchday 23, with Hugo Keenan switching to Stockdale’s full-back position to allow Conway play on the wing.

Tadhg Beirne, who started last time out in the Six Nations loss to France, has been added to the bench.

From bench journeyman to starting Ireland No9 ???? https://t.co/6LrOddDJ75

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 10, 2020

IRELAND: H Keenan (Leinster); A Conway (Munser), C Farrell (Munster), R Henshaw (Leinster), J Lowe (Leinster); J Sexton (Leinster, capt), J Gibson-Park (Leinster); C Healy (Leinster), R Kelleher (Leinster), A Porter (Leinster), Q Roux (Connacht), J Ryan (Leinster), P O’Mahony (Munster), J Van Der Flier (Leinster), C Doris (Leinster).

Replacements: D Heffernan (Connacht), E Byrne (Leinster), F Bealham (Connacht), T Beirne (Munster), W Connors (Leinster), C Murray (Munster), B Burns (Ulster), K Earls (Munster).

WALES: L Halfpenny (Scarlets); Liam Williams (Scarlets), J Davies (Scarlets), O Watkin (Ospreys), J Adams (Cardiff Blues); D Biggar (Northampton), G Davies (Scarlets); R Carre (Cardiff Blues), R Elias (Scarlets), T Francis (Exeter), W Rowlands (Wasps), A W Jones (Ospreys, capt), S Lewis-Hughes (Cardiff Blues), J Tipuric (Ospreys), T Faletau (Bath).

Replacements: E Dee (Dragons), W Jones (Scarlets), S Lee (Scarlets), J Ball (Scarlets), A Wainwright (Dragons), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), C Sheedy (Bristol), G North (Ospreys).

Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France).