Six Nations: Henderson on the bench for Ireland as McCarthy out injured

Iain Henderson is the sole ULster representative in the Ireland matchday squad for Saturday's Six Nations opener at home to England.

Henderson is named maongat the replacements by Interim Head Coach Simon Easterby for sold-out Aviva Stadium clash.

Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen and James Lowe are named in the back three, with Bundee Aki partnering Garry Ringrose in midfield. Jamison Gibson-Park starts at scrum-half and Sam Prendergast is at out-half, for what will be his Six Nations debut.

In the pack, Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher and Finlay Bealham are named in the front row, with James Ryan and Tadhg Beirne in the engine room. Ryan Baird is selected at blindside flanker, Josh van der Flier at openside and captain Caelan Doris packing down at number eight.

Easterby has experienced options on the bench to call upon, with the fit-again Dan Sheehan, Cian Healy, Thomas Clarkson, Henderson and Jack Conan providing the forward reinforcements. Conor Murray, Jack Crowley and Robbie Henshaw completing the bench as the back options. Joe McCarthy is unavailable due to injury.

Speaking ahead of the game, Easterby said: “We’ve come off the back of a good week’s training in Quinta do Lago and I have been hugely impressed by the effort of the squad. We’ve enjoyed some competitive sessions and it wasn’t easy selecting a squad for this week’s game given the quality of those who haven’t made the final 23.

"Credit to those who missed out on selection for this game, there was obvious disappointment but they all stepped up brilliantly to help prepare the team this week."

Ireland team to play England, Aviva Stadium Dublin, Saturday February 1 (4.45pm)

15-9: Hugo Keenan (Leinster), Mack Hansen (Connacht), Garry Ringrose (Leinster), Bundee Aki (Connacht), James Lowe (Leinster), Sam Prendergast (Leinster), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)

1-8: Andrew Porter (Leinster), Rónan Kelleher (Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Connacht), James Ryan (Leinster), Tadhg Beirne (Munster), Ryan Baird (Leinster), Josh van der Flier (Leinster), Caelan Doris (Leinster) (C)

Replacements: Dan Sheehan (Leinster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Thomas Clarkson (Leinster), Iain Henderson (Ulster), Jack Conan (Leinster), Conor Murray (Munster), Jack Crowley (Munster), Robbie Henshaw (Leinster)