There will be four Ulster players starting for Ireland in their clash against Italy tomorrow afternoon at the Aviva Stadium. (KO 2:30pm)
Young Iain Henderson gets his first start in the Six Nations (and it’s about time too) when he runs out alongside fellow Ulster players Chris Henry, Rory Best and Andrew Trimble. Paddy Jackson takes up his usual bench spot for the fourth time this tournament.
It’s good news for Henderson and it’s particularly pleasing that he’s starting in the back row in what should be a like for like replacement for the excellent, but sometimes overeager O’Mahoney. Add in the (hopefully) imminent returns of O’Brien and Ferris, the inform Diack, the quickly improving Jordi Murphy, the lightning quick Tommy O’Donnell, plus of course Henry and Heaslip and Ireland really have a wealth of riches in the back row.
While Henderson is a welcome inclusion in the squad I’m still a little disappointed that there weren’t a few more new faces, particularly with the 2015 World Cup . . .
You will need to log in or register to read the rest of this article. If you have not already registered you can click here to register.
In 2022 we added 102,631 new images in 510 galleries with a gallery breakdown of 263 Rugby, 217 Hockey and 30 Athletics. Your registration and subscription will help us to continue.
Thanks.
Corrections, comments or questions?