Farrell names unchanged team for clash with Scotland

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has named an unchanged starting XV for Saturday’s final Guinness Six Nations meeting with Scotland at the Aviva Stadium.

Calvin Nash is named on the wing after coming through the return-to-play protocols.

Ciarán Frawley, who had also been following the RTP protocols, has not been included among the replacements, with Farrell reverting back to a 5:3 split.

Garry Ringrose is named in the 23 shirt for his first appearance of the championship, while Harry Byrne also comes onto the bench, with Iain Henderson missing out on selection.

Farrell has resisted the urge to tinker with his starting side after the defeat to England, with Ireland knowing a win – or a draw – against Scotland will see them crowned Six Nations champions.

Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong continue in the front row, while Joe McCarthy joins Tadhg Beirne at lock, with Beirne set for his 50th cap.

Captain Peter O’Mahony is retained in the side, despite some calls for Ryan Baird to be given a start, while Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris complete the pack.

Jamison Gibson-Park and Jack Crowley pair off at half-back, with Conor Murray and Byrne providing cover on the bench.

Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw’s centre partnership is also kept intact, despite Ringrose returning, while Nash is joined by James Lowe and Hugo Keenan in the back three.

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend named his line-up earlier on Thursday, with two changes from the defeat to Italy.

Ireland: Hugo Keenan; 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, Finlay Bealham, Ryan Baird, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Harry Byrne, Garry Ringrose.

Scotland: Blair Kinghorn; Kyle Steyn, Huw Jones, Stafford McDowall, Duhan van der Merwe; Finn Russell (co-capt), Ben White; Pierre Schoeman, George Turner, Zander Fagerson; Grant Gilchrist, Scott Cummings; Andy Christie, Rory Darge, (co-capt), Jack Dempsey.

Replacements: Ewan Ashman, Rory Sutherland, Elliot Millar-Mills, Sam Skinner, Matt Fagerson, George Horne, Cameron Redpath, Kyle Rowe.