Ireland team news: Ciarán Frawley handed first Six Nations start as Hugo Keenan is ruled out
Ciaran Frawley will stand in for Hugo Keenan at fullback.
Ciarán Frawley has been named to start at fullback for Ireland’s Round Three Six Nations fixture against Wales.
As expected, Hugo Keenan has been ruled out with a knee injury and so his Leinster colleague comes into the starting XV for the first time having won two caps as a replacement previously.
Otherwise, Andy Farrell has gone back to the formula that delivered a resounding opening night win over France, with Peter O’Mahony back to skipper the side in one of six changes to the team that beat Italy.
As well as Frawley and O’Mahony, Jamison Gibson-Park, Tadhg Furlong, Tadhg Beirne and Josh van der Flier come into the team.
Caelan Doris has been passed fit despite concerns over a calf injury, meaning he reverts to No 8 to make room for Van der Flier.
Farrell has once again gone with a 6/2 split of forwards and backs on his bench, with James Ryan, Ryan Baird and Jack Conan back among the replacements alongside Munster’s Oli Jager, who is set for his international debut.
Frawley is joined by Calvin Nash and James Lowe in the back three, Robbie Henshaw and Aki are in midfield and Jack Crowley partners Gibson-Park.
Furlong’s return means the first-choice front-row is reassembled with Andrew Porter and Dan Sheehan continuing, while Joe McCarthy is backed to continue his strong start to the tournament.
On the bench, Jager will make his Ireland debut as cover for Furlong having returned from New Zealand earlier this season, while Stuart McCloskey is in the No 23 shirt.
Rónan Kelleher and Cian Healy are back-up front-rows along with Jager, while Conor Murray covers scrum-half.
Although he returned to training last week, it appears Ireland have erred on the side of caution with Garry Ringrose who may come into contention for the Round Four clash with England, while Keenan is understood to be in a race to be fit for that game.
Ireland team to face Wales: Ciarán Frawley; Calvin Nash, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne; Peter O’Mahony (capt), Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Cian Healy, Oli Jager, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Stuart McCloskey.
