Six Nations: Farrell names Ireland squad for France clash...but Ulster players miss out

Head Coach Andy Farrell has named his Ireland squad for Friday night’s Six Nations opener against France in Marseille (8pm Irish time) - with no Ulster players included.

Ulster are the only province not included in the 23-man panel, with Leinster having 16 picks, Munster five, and Connacht with two.

Peter O’Mahony captains Ireland for the clash at Stade Velodrome, with a number of players in line for their Championship debuts in green.

Joe McCarthy has been named to start in the second row alongside Tadhg Beirne, while Calvin Nash lines up on the right wing, having made his Test debut against Italy in last summer’s Nations Series.

Nash is joined in the back three by Hugo Keenan at full-back and James Lowe on the left, with Bundee Aki partnering Robbie Henshaw in midfield.

In the half backs, Jamison Gibson-Park starts at nine alongside Jack Crowley at out-half, who is in line for his first Six Nations start.

Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong are selected in the front row, with McCarthy set for his sixth cap in the engine room beside Beirne. Captain O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris complete the Ireland starting team.

Farrell has opted for a six-two split on the replacements bench with Ronan Kelleher, the fit again Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, Ryan Baird and Jack Conan providing the reinforcements in the pack, with Conor Murray and Ciaran Frawley – also in line for his first Championship appearance – the backline options.

Ireland squad to play France, Friday February 2 (8pm)

15-9: Hugo Keenan, Calvin Nash, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, James Lowe, Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park

1-8: Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne, Peter O’Mahony (C), Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris

Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Ciaran Frawley