Garry Ringrose will become the third player to wear Ireland’s No 13 shirt in this season’s Six Nations after being named for Saturday’s meeting with Scotland at the Aviva Stadium. The 23-year-old has shaken off ankle trouble suffered in January, and his return helps ease the losses of Robbie Henshaw, Chris Farrell and Jared Payne.
Henshaw dislocated his right shoulder in the win over Italy last month, and Farrell – who replaced Henshaw for the win over Wales – tore knee ligaments in training. Payne has not played since last year’s Lions tour to New Zealand, having suffered persistent headaches.
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Joe Schmidt conceded Ringrose’s selection – after just an hour of club rugby since January – was a case of “needs-must” given the injury situation. “There’s always concerns about players for different reasons, and Garry’s only had six games in this entire season,” the head coach said. “That’s something you calculate in but sometimes you don’t have the luxury of a plethora of options.
“Garry’s been extraordinary when he has played for us, he’s done a great job. We’re hoping he can get straight back into that form. He’s a smart player, and hopefully he can get the balance between when he has to work hard and when he can get a breather back on the pitch. It’s a needs-must situation but it’s a situation where we’ve got a lot of trust and faith in Garry.”
Tadhg Furlong and Iain Henderson also return after hamstring problems – although Henderson only to the bench, with James Ryan partnering Devin Toner at lock. Henderson had been tipped to slot straight back into the side but Schmidt has kept faith with his most-selected player in Toner.
Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton have also shrugged off knocks in time for a match in which Ireland will chase a fourth successive win in the 2018 competition. The Irish, looking to claim a first grand slam in nine years, are top of the table on 14 points, five more than England, who they face in the final match at Twickenham on 17 March.
Ireland R Kearney (Leinster); K Earls (Munster), G Ringrose (Leinster), B Aki (Connacht), J Stockdale (Ulster); J Sexton (Leinster), C Murray (Munster); C Healy (Leinster), R Best (Ulster, capt), T Furlong, J Ryan, D Toner (all Leinster), P O’Mahony (Munster), D Leavy (Leinster), CJ Stander (Munster). Replacements: S Cronin, J McGrath, A Porter (all Leinster), I Henderson (Ulster), J Murphy (Leinster), K Marmion (Connacht), J Carbery, J Larmour (both Leinster).
Referee W Barnes (Eng)