Eire have recalled skilled duo Peter O’Mahony and Robbie Henshaw for Sunday’s Six Nations sport towards Scotland at Murrayfield.
The Munster flanker was not included within the squad for final week’s 27-22 victory over England however returns as one in every of two modifications named by interim head coach Simon Easterby.
O’Mahony captained Eire to Six Nations victory final yr however is again within the beginning XV for the primary time since their summer time tour to South Africa, having been restricted to appearances from the bench throughout November’s Autumn Nations Sequence.
The 35-year-old replaces Ryan Baird within the again row, whereas Robbie Henshaw – who got here on through the second half in Dublin final week – replaces Garry Ringrose at exterior centre as the opposite change.
Easterby mentioned: “Sunday’s sport presents a major problem towards a Scotland facet that had an excellent Autumn Nations Sequence and have began the Six Nations with a optimistic bonus level win over Italy. We have now taken confidence from the win over England this week and there are undoubtedly areas for enchancment.
“Selection was a real challenge again which reinforces the competition for places. As we approach Round 2, it’s about improvement and building momentum. We know that we will need to start the game strongly and meet their physical challenge.”
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England captain Maro Itoje mentioned his facet endured a troublesome second half as they had been crushed by Eire within the Six Nations however believes there are positives to construct on
Caelan Doris will lead Eire as soon as once more from the again row, whereas Cian Healy is ready to turn out to be Eire’s most capped participant within the Guinness Males’s Six Nations ought to he come off the bench and surpass Brian O’Driscoll’s document of 65 Six Nations appearances.
Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen and James Lowe begin in an unchanged Eire again three, with Bundee Aki and Henshaw forming the midfield partnership, whereas Jamison Gibson-Park and Sam Prendergast proceed within the half-backs.
Up entrance, Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher and Finlay Bealham are within the entrance row, with James Ryan and Tadhg Beirne within the second row. O’Mahony is known as at blindside flanker, with Josh van der Flier at openside and captain Doris at quantity eight.
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Sky Sports activities’ Jack Wilkinson takes a have a look at the highest 5 gamers which have staked their declare for the British and Irish Lions tour in the summertime after their performances within the first spherical of the 2025 Six Nations
Scotland will announce their workforce in a while Friday.
Eire beginning XV: 15. Hugo Keenan, 14. Mack Hansen, 13. Robbie Henshaw, 12. Bundee Aki, 11. James Lowe, 10. Sam Prendergast, 9. Jamison Gibson-Park; 1. Andrew Porter, 2. Rónan Kelleher, 3. Finlay Bealham, 4. James Ryan, 5. Tadhg Beirne, 6. Peter O’Mahony, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Caelan Doris (captain).
Replacements: 16. Dan Sheehan, 17. Cian Healy, 18. Thomas Clarkson, 19. Ryan Baird, 20. Jack Conan, 21. Conor Murray, 22. Jack Crowley, 23. Garry Ringrose.
Can Scotland finish dropping streak towards Eire?
Scotland have misplaced their final 10 matches towards Eire and Rory Sutherland, who has gained 38 caps in complete, believes a victory on Sunday – for the primary time since February 2017 – would function an enormous enhance to his facet.
“It would be massive,” he mentioned. “Ireland are a team we hold in very high regard. I think there is a little bit of added spice there because it’s them, we’ve fallen short against them, but we’ve got a lot of respect for them.
“It is a Take a look at we’re actually wanting ahead to and I feel it is a Take a look at we’ll be properly ready to win.”
Six Nations fixtures: Spherical Two
Saturday February 8
Italy vs Wales (2.15pm)
England vs France (4.45pm)
Who will win the Six Nations in 2025?
Sunday February 9
Scotland vs Eire (3pm)
British & Irish Lions tour of Australia on Sky Sports activities
Sky Sports activities will solely present the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour of Australia this summer time, with all three Assessments towards the Wallabies and 6 warm-up matches to be proven solely dwell. Get Sky Sports activities or stream with no contract on NOW.
