Ireland host France in Round 2 of Six Nations on Saturday (2.15pm); Hooker Dan Sheehan ruled out with hamstring injury, and is replaced by Rob Herring; Ronan Kelleher returns to bench after injury; Scrum-half Conor Murray fit to start; Ireland otherwise unchanged after win in Cardiff
By Michael Cantillon
Last Updated: 09/02/23 2:50pm
Ireland’s Dan Sheehan has been ruled out of Saturday’s Six Nations clash vs France in Dublin
Ireland have suffered a further injury blow ahead of hosting France in Round 2 of the Six Nations, with hooker Dan Sheehan ruled out due to a hamstring injury.
Sheehan, who has been one of Ireland’s most impressive performers, drops out of the squad as Ulster’s Rob Herring starts and Leinster’s Ronan Kelleher comes onto the bench – himself having only just recovered from injury.
Sheehan joins Robbie Henshaw (wrist), Tadhg Furlong (calf), Jamison Gibson-Park (hamstring), Cian Healy (hamstring) and Andrew Conway (knee) on the treatment table for Ireland.
Scrum-half Conor Murray is fit to start, however, having shaken off a knock to be named, with Craig Casey again selected among the replacements.
Rob Herring has replaced Sheehan to start at hooker
Ireland are otherwise unchanged, with skipper Johnny Sexton fit to start having missed Ireland’s last two encounters with France due to late injuries.
Full-back Hugo Keenan combines with wings Mack Hansen and James Lowe in the back-three, while centres Garry Ringrose and Stuart McCloskey are again paired, with Bundee Aki on the bench.
Johnny Sexton is fit to start and lead the side, having missed Ireland’s last two clashes vs France
Props Andrew Porter and Finlay Bealham start either side of Herring, while Tadhg Beirne and James Ryan combine in the second-row again, with Iain Henderson held in reserve.
The back-row duo is Peter O’Mahony at blindside flanker, Josh van der Flier at openside, and Caelan Doris at No 8.
Loosehead Dave Kilcoyne, tighthead T …