Ireland name strong lineup for Scotland trip as Sexton returns

10.03.2023 - 17:11 channelnewsasia.com

Ireland coach Andy Farrell will field a strong line-up for Sunday's Six Nations trip to Scotland as several players return from injury, with captain Johnny Sexton, tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong and centre Garry Ringrose fit again.Sexton, who suffered a leg injury in the 32-19 win over France last month, missed the Six Nations leaders' victory over Italy.

The 37-year-old is in line to overtake compatriot Ronan O'Gara atop the Six Nations' all-time points scorer charts.British & Irish Lion Furlong missed the opening three games with a calf injury, while Ringrose also returns after missing the trip to Italy.Robbie Henshaw, Jamison Gibson Park and Cian Healy, who are coming back from longer term injuries, are on the bench.Conor Murray, who dropped to the bench for the win over Italy, has been named to the starting line-up.Sunday's game will also serve as a preview for this year's World Cup in France, with Ireland and Scotland having been drawn in the same pool as South Africa, Tonga and Romania for the tournament.Ireland, who top the standings on 15 points after three matches, will hope to still be in line for a grand slam when they host England a week later in their final game.

Scotland are second with 10, ahead of England and France on points difference.England host France on Saturday.Ireland team:15.

Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 28 caps14. Mack Hansen (Connacht) 12 caps13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster) 49 caps12. Bundee Aki (Connacht) 44 caps11.

as Johnny Sexton James Lowe Andy Farrell Conor Murray James Ryan Robbie Henshaw Garry Ringrose Hugo Keenan Dan Sheehan Cian Healy Britain France Italy Scotland Romania South Africa Ireland Tonga county Ulster

France captain Antoine Dupont has been named the Six Nations player of the championship for the third time in four years. Dupont becomes just the second player to win the award three times (2020, 2022 and 2023) after former Ireland centre Brian O'Driscoll (2006, 2007 and 2009), with the scrum-half winning 26 per cent of the fan vote on the Six Nations website. Ad The 26-year-old beat team-mates Thomas Ramos and Damian Penaud to the prize as well as Ireland Grand Slam winners Caelan Doris, Hugo Keenan and Mack Hansen.

Antoine Dupont named Six Nations Player of the Championship

Antoine Dupont has been named Six Nations Player of the Championship for the third time in four years.

Ireland make three changes for Six Nations grand slam tilt against England

The Ireland trio of Ryan Baird, Jamison Gibson-Park and Robbie Henshaw will make their first starts of this year’s Six Nations on Saturday against England. The lock Baird and centre Henshaw replace the injured Iain Henderson and Garry Ringrose after last week’s bruising 22-7 round-four win in Scotland.

Ireland lose Ringrose, Henderson for England clash in Dublin

Centre Garry Ringrose and lock Iain Henderson have been ruled out of Ireland’s final Six Nations fixture at home to England on Saturday but several other injured players are being managed through this week in the hopes of being fit.