Interim boss Simon Easterby makes two changes to the side that beat England last weekend
Simon Easterby has made two changes to his starting line-up as the Ireland Six Nations team look to follow-up their opening weekend victory over England.
Former captain Peter O’Mahony, absent from the matchday 23 last Saturday, returns on the blindside. Meanwhile, Robbie Henshaw – one of three Ireland players vying for a centre spot on this summer’s British & Irish Lions tour – replaces Leinster teammate Garry Ringrose to start alongside Bundee Aki. Ringrose drops to the bench.
Otherwise it’s business as usual, as Easterby retains his first choice back line of Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen and James Lowe. Sam Prendergast continues in the number 10 shirt, despite Jack Crowley’s impressive performance off the bench against England, and will once again partner scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park.
In the pack, Rónan Kelleher starts at hooker, alongside props Andrew Porter and Finlay Bealham. James Ryan and Tadhg Beirne are the locks, while O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris make up a strong back row.
Ireland continue with a 5-3 split on the bench. Alongside Ringrose and Ryan Baird (who loses his starting place to O’Mahony on the blindside), Easterby has stuck with Dan Sheehan, Cian Healy, Thomas Clarkson, Jack Conan, Conor Murray and Jack Crowley. Iain Henderson drops out of the matchday 23.
“Sunday’s game presents a significant challenge against a Scotland side that had a very good Autumn Nations Series and have started the Six Nations with a positive bonus point win over Italy,” said Easterby. “We have taken confidence from the win over England this week and there are undoubtedly areas for improvement.
“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.”
Scotland v Ireland kicks off at 3.00pm on Sunday 9 February.
- Read more: How to watch Scotland v Ireland
Ireland Six Nations team v Scotland
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
Ireland Six Nations team v England
15. Hugo Keenan
14. Mack Hansen
13. Garry Ringrose
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. Ryan Baird
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Caelan Doris (captain)
Replacements:
16. Dan Sheehan
17. Cian Healy
18. Thomas Clarkson
19. Iain Henderson
20. Jack Conan
21. Conor Murray
22. Jack Crowley
23. Robbie Henshaw
Ireland Six Nations squad 2025
Forwards
Jack Aungier
Ryan Baird
Finlay Bealham
Tadhg Beirne
Jack Boyle
Thomas Clarkson
Jack Conan
Caelan Doris
Tadhg Furlong
Cian Healy
Iain Henderson
Rob Herring
Cormac Izuchukwu
Rónan Kelleher
Gus McCarthy
Joe McCarthy
Peter O’Mahony
Andrew Porter
Cian Prendergast
James Ryan
Dan Sheehan
Josh van der Flier
Backs
Bundee Aki
Caolin Blade
Jack Crowley
Ciaran Frawley
Jamison Gibson-Park
Mack Hansen
Robbie Henshaw
Hugo Keenan
James Lowe
Conor Murray
Calvin Nash
Jimmy O’Brien
Jamie Osborne
Sam Prendergast
Garry Ringrose
Development players
Hugh Cooney
Cathal Forde
James McNabney
Ben Murphy
Read more: How to watch the Six Nations 2025 from anywhere
Ireland Six Nations squad: Line-ups from every match in 2024
Round 1: v France (Orange Velodrome, Marseille)
Starting XV: Hugo Keenan, 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 (captain), Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris
Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Ciaran Frawley
Result: France 17-38 Ireland
Round 2: v Italy (Aviva Stadium)
Starting XV: Hugo Keenan; Calvin Nash, Robbie Henshaw, Stuart McCloskey, James Lowe; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey, Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Finlay Bealham, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Caelan Doris, Jack Conan
Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Jeremy Loughman, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson, Josh van der Flier, Jamison Gibson-Park, Harry Byrne, Jordan Larmour
Result: Ireland 36-0 Italy
Round 3: v Wales (Aviva Stadium)
Starting XV: Ciaran 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, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris
Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Cian Healy, Oli Jager, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Stuart McCloskey
Result: Ireland 31-7 Wales
Round 4: v England (Twickenham)
Starting XV: Hugo Keenan; 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, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris
Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, Iain Henderson, Ryan Baird, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Ciaran Frawley
Result: England 23-22 Ireland
Round 5: v Scotland (Murrayfield)
Starting XV: Hugo Keenan; 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, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris
Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, Ryan Baird, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Harry Byrne, Garry Ringrose
Result: Ireland 17-13 Scotland
Ireland Six Nations squad 2024
Forwards
Ryan Baird (Leinster)
Finlay Bealham (Connacht)
Tadhg Beirne (Munster)
Jack Conan (Leinster)
Caelan Doris (Leinster)
Tadhg Furlong (Leinster)
Cian Healy (Leinster)
Iain Henderson (Ulster)
Ronan Kelleher (Leinster)
Jeremy Loughman (Munster)
Joe McCarthy (Leinster)
Peter O’Mahony (Munster)
Tom O’Toole (Ulster)
Andrew Porter (Leinster)
James Ryan (UCD/Leinster)
Dan Sheehan (Leinster)
Tom Stewart (Ulster)
Nick Timoney (Ulster)
Josh van der Flier (Leinster)
Backs
Bundee Aki (Connacht)
Harry Byrne (Leinster)
Craig Casey (Munster)
Jack Crowley (Munster)
Ciaran Frawley (Leinster)
Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)
Robbie Henshaw (Leinster)
Hugo Keenan (Leinster)
Jordan Larmour (Leinster)
James Lowe (Leinster)
Stuart McCloskey (Ulster)
Conor Murray (Munster)
Calvin Nash (Munster)
Garry Ringrose (Leinster)
Jacob Stockdale (Ulster)
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