Sexton starts but no Furlong for Ireland against Wales

Johnny Sexton has recovered from a facial injury and will captain Ireland from flyhalf but prop Tadhg Furlong has been ruled out of their Six Nations opener against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

Furlong has not played since December after ankle, hamstring and calf injuries, but had hoped to be fit to return against the Welsh. His place in the side is taken by Finlay Bealham, who gets the nod ahead of Tom O’Toole.

Furlong is expected to return for Ireland’s crucial second clash against France in Dublin on Feb. 11.

Sexton has recovered from surgery to his cheekbone and starts alongside scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park. Stuart McCloskey and Garry Ringrose continue their partnership in the midfield. Hugo Keenan is at fullback, and Mack Hansen and James Lowe on the wings.

Bealham will pack down in the front row of the scrum with fellow prop Andrew Porter, with hooker Dan Sheehan between them.

Tadhg Beirne and James Ryan are the lock pairing, while Caelan Doris is at number eight, and Josh van der Flier and Peter O’Mahony on either flank.

World number one Ireland have won five of their last six tests against Wales, but did lose 21-16 on their last visit to Cardiff in 2021.

Ireland team:

15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 25 caps

14. Mack Hansen (Connacht) 8 caps

13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD) 47 caps

12. Stuart McCloskey (Ulster/Bangor) 9 caps

11. James Lowe (Leinster) 15 caps

10. Johnny Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 109 caps

9. Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster) 23 caps

1. Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD) 48 caps

2. Dan Sheehan (Leinster/Lansdowne) 13 caps

3. Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers) 27 caps

4. Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne) 36 caps

5. James Ryan (Leinster/UCD) 48 caps

6. Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution) 89 caps

7. Josh van