Six Nations: Tadhg Furlong ruled out of Ireland’s opener against Wales, Finlay Bealham starts

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Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has announced his matchday squad for the opening Six Nations match against Wales on Saturday.

Tadhg Furlong has been ruled out of the game and will miss the clash at the Principality Stadium, with Finlay Bealham starting at tighthead prop.

Bealham starts

Furlong has been suffering with ankle and calf injuries in recent weeks and has not recovered in time for the opening match.

Bealham is joined in the front-row by Leinster loosehead Andrew Porter and hooker Dan Sheehan.

Tadhg Beirne and James Ryan resume their partnership in the second-row, with Peter O’Mahony winning his 90th Ireland cap at blindside flank.

2022 World Rugby Player of the Year Josh van der Flier starts at openside flanker, and Caelan Doris completes the pack at number eight.

Sexton returns

Johnny Sexton returns from a facial injury to captain the side from fly-half with fellow Leinster half-back Jamison Gibson-Park at scrum-half.

Ulster centre Stuart McCloskey will make his first appearance in the championship since his Test debut seven years ago. He started alongside Garry Ringrose in the win over Australia last November and the centre pairing is retained.

Mack Hansen and James Lowe start on the wings and Hugo Keenan is at full-back.

Rob Herring, Cian Healy and Tom O’Toole provide front-row cover on the bench, with Iain Henderson and Jack Conan adding further forward options.

Conor Murray, Ross Byrne and Bundee Aki are the backline replacements.

Ireland: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 James Lowe, 10 Johnny Sexton (c), 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 5 James Ryan, 4 Tadhg Beirne, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter
Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Tom O’Toole, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Bundee Aki

Date: Saturday, February 4
Venue: Principality Stadium
Kick-off: 14:15 GMT
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant Referees: Angus Gardner (New Zealand), Luke Pearce (England)
TMO: Tom Foley (England)

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