Sheehan to captain much changed Ireland in Wales

Dan Sheehan will captain Ireland for the first time as part of a much changed side in Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations meeting with Wales in Cardiff

The Leinster hooker is one of seven changes to the side that defeated Scotland 32-18 just under a fortnight ago, coming in for Rónan Kelleher, who suffered a neck injury at Murrayfield.

While Sheehan had been expected to come into the starting team for Cardiff, his ascension to the captaincy has come as a surprise, with Peter O’Mahony having been expected to take on the role in the absence of the injured Caelan Doris.

O’Mahony retains his place in the back row, but interim head coach Simon Easterby has looked long-term with his choice of stand-in skipper, with Sheehan elected to lead the team for the first time, having captained Leinster on multiple occasions in the last season and a half.

In total, Easterby has made seven changes to his side for the round three game at the Principality Stadium.

Andrew Porter and Thomas Clarkson pack down alongside Sheehan in an all-Leinster front row, with Clarkson making his first Irish start, having won his previous four caps off the bench.

Tadhg Beirne continues at lock where he’s joined by Joe McCarthy, who comes in for James Ryan to make his first appearance of this year’s championship having missed the wins over England and Scotland due to concussion.

With O’Mahony and Josh van der Flier at flanker, the only change to the back row is at number 8, where Jack Conan replaces Doris as expected.

Easterby has resisted the urge to tinker with his half-back pairing, as Jamison Gibson-Park and Sam Prendergast start, with Conor Murray and Jack Crowley on the bench.

Robbie Henshaw moves infield to the 12 shirt, which allows Garry Ringrose come in for Bundee Aki at outside centre, with Aki covering from the bench.

James Lowe starts again on the left wing, while Mack Hansen is restored to the starting team on the right, as Calvin Nash is unfortunate to miss out on a place in the matchday 23.

The final change comes at full-back where Jamie Osborne replaces Hugo Keenan, with the versatile 23-year-old making his Six Nations debut on his fifth Irish appearance.

On the bench, there’s an Ireland debut for Leinster loosehead prop Jack Boyle, while hooker Gus McCarthy and back row Cian Prendergast are also included for their maiden Six Nations appearance.

Finley Bealham, James Ryan, Murray, Crowley and Aki complete an otherwise experienced bench.

Ireland: Jamie Osborne; Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw; James Lowe, Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park, Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan (capt), Thomas Clarkson, Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne, Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan

Replacements: Gus McCarthy, Jack Boyle, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, Cian Prendergast, Conor Murray, Jack Crowley, Bundee Aki