Andy Farrell: Ciarán Frawley can 'prove a point' on first start

Andy Farrell is backing Ciarán Frawley to go out and "prove a point", when he makes his first Test start in Ireland's Guinness Six Nations meeting with Wales on Saturday (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player).

After two appearances off the bench for Ireland in the last six months, Frawley will get a long-awaited first Ireland start, as he comes in for the injured Hugo Keenan at full-back, one of seven changes to the team that defeated Italy 36-0.

The 26-year-old has had to serve a long apprenticeship in the Irish squad. Frawley has been a regular part of Ireland training squads since November 2021, but some poor luck with injuries delayed his debut until Ireland's World Cup warm-up campaign, when he came off the bench in the second half of the win against Italy in August.

His only other exposure came in the final minutes of Ireland's Six Nations win in Marseille at the start of February, but with Keenan absent due to injury, the versatile Frawley's first start will come at full-back rather than his preferred out-half.

And Farrell says the Skerries man (below) deserves his starting place.

"He has been in and around the squad, and he's always had an appetite to want to get to this type of position," Farrell said.

"Now it has come around, I'm sure it’s a big moment for him and his family to start the game. But it’s all about performing isn’t it and taking your chance.

"That’s what international rugby is all about. All you need is a chance, it’s up to the individuals to go and take that and prove a point."

It's also an opportunity to test Ireland's depth at full-back, although Farrell says he expects Keenan to be fit for the away trip to England in just over two weeks.

He said: "Hugo doesn't get injured too much, does he? His [Frawley's]