Bundee Aki set for 6 Nations debut

Bundee Aki is set to make his 6 Nations debut after being named in the starting 15 by the Ireland coaching group for their opening fixture as they take on Les Bleus at the Stade de France.

 

Rory Best captains the side and is joined in the front row by Cian Healy and Tadhg Furlong. Iain Henderson and James Ryan line-out in the second row with Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier and CJ Stander filling the backrow positions.

 

Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton are named at half-back with Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw in midfield. The back three consists of Rob Kearney at fullback with Keith Earls and Jacob Stockdale on the wings.

 

The replacements are Sean Cronin, Jack McGrath, John Ryan, Devin Toner, Dan Leavy, Luke McGrath, Joey Carbery and Fergus McFadden.

 

IRELAND Squad to play France – Stade de France, Saturday 3rd February, 2018

15. Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster) 78 caps
14. Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster) 62 caps
13. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster) 31 caps
12. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht) 2 caps
11. Jacob Stockdale (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster) 4 caps
10. Johnny Sexton (St Mary’s College/Leinster) 68 caps
9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) 59 caps

1. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) 73 caps
2. Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) 106 caps (captain)
3. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster) 19 caps
4. Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 34 caps
5. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster) 4 caps
6. Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster) 42 caps
7. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster) 9 caps
8. CJ Stander (Shannon/Munster) 18 caps

Replacements
16. Sean Cronin (St Mary’s College/Leinster) 56 caps
17. Jack McGrath (St Mary’s College/Leinster) 42 caps
18. John Ryan (Cork Constitution/Munster) 11 caps
19. Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster) 53 caps
20. Dan Leavy (UCD/Leinster) 4 caps
21. Luke McGrath (UCD/Leinster) 6 caps
22. Joey Carbery (Clontarf/Leinster) 6 caps
23. Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster) 32 caps

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