Six Nations: Kearney Returns To Ireland Starting XV

Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton are named at 9 and 10 respectively with Chris Farrell partnering Bundee Aki in the centre.

Rob Kearney is named at fullback with Keith Earls and Jacob Stockdale on the wings. The Ireland coaching group have announced the 23 players that will line out against Scotland at BT Murrayfield on Saturday afternoon in Round 2 of the Six Nations.

Captain Rory Best is joined in the front row by Cian Healy and Tadhg Furlong. Quinn Roux comes in at lock to partner James Ryan while Sean O’Brien and Jack Conan are introduced to the backrow with Peter O’Mahony retained on the blindside flank.
The replacements named for the weekend are Sean Cronin, Dave Kilcoyne, Andrew Porter, Ultan Dillane, Josh van der Flier, John Cooney, Joey Carbery and Jordan Larmour.

15. Rob Kearney (Leinster/UCD) 87 caps
14. Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster) 73
13. Chris Farrell (Munster/Young Munster) 3 caps
12. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht) 13
11. Jacob Stockdale (Lurgan/Ulster) 15
10. Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary’s College/Leinster) 79 (vc)
9. Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen) 68

1. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) 85
2. Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) 114 (c)
3. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster) 29
4. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster) 14
5. Quinn Roux (Galwegians/Connacht) 9
6. Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster) 53 (vc)
7. Sean O’Brien (Leinster/UCD) 53
8. Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere) 11 caps

Replacements
16. Sean Cronin (St. Mary’s College/Leinster) 66
17. Dave Kilcoyne (Munster/UL Bohemians) 25
18. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster) 12
19. Ultan Dillane (Connacht/Corinthians) 11 caps
20. Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD) 14 caps
21. John Cooney (Ulster/Terenure College) 5
22. Joey Carbery (Clontarf/Munster) 17
23. Jordan Larmour (St. Mary’s College/Leinster) 10