Ciarán Frawley to start for Ireland against Wales

Ciarán Frawley will make his first Ireland start this weekend, with the Leinster man named at full-back in Andy Farrell’s team to take on Wales at the Aviva Stadium.

The 26-year-old utility back comes into the backfield in place of the injured Hugo Keenan as one of seven changes from the side that defeated Italy 36-0 in Round 2, with Peter O’Mahony returning to captain the side.

Munster prop Oli Jager is also in line for a debut at the Aviva Stadium, with the 28-year-old tighthead named among the replacements.

Garry Ringrose isn’t included in the matchday squad, despite returning to full training this week following a shoulder injury, with Robbie Henshaw rewarded for his good performances against France and Italy.

The Leinster centre partners Bundee Aki in midfield, with Aki coming back into the team after sitting out the win over the Italians.

Calvin Nash and James Lowe retain their places on the wings, with the pair combining for three tries in Ireland’s opening wins.

Jack Crowley starts at out-half once again, with Jamison Gibson-Park coming back in at scrum-half as Conor Murray takes up a spot on the bench and Craig Casey drops out of the matchday squad.

In the pack, Tadhg Furlong returns from a minor calf injury, joining Dan Sheehan and Andrew Porter in the front row, with Tadhg Beirne teaming up with Joe McCarthy in the second row at the expense of James Ryan, who drops to the bench.

Caelan Doris has shaken off a knock to start at number 8, with O’Mahony and Josh van der Flier returning to the flanks.

Wales named their matchday squad on Tuesday, with just one change from the side that were defeated by England at Twickenham.

Sam Costelow starts at out-half, with Ioan Lloyd dropping to the bench.

Ireland: Ciarán 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 (capt), Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris

Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Cian Healy, Oli Jager, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Stuart McCloskey

Wales: Cameron Winnett; Josh Adams, George North, Nick Tompkins, Rio Dyer; Sam Costelow, Tomos Williams; Gareth Thomas, Elliot Dee, Keiron Assiratti; Dafydd Jenkins, Adam Beard; Alex Mann, Tommy Reffell, Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements: Ryan Elias, Corey Domachowski, Dillon Lewis, Will Rowlands, Mackenzie Martin, Kieran Hardy, Ioan Llyod, Mason Grady.