Ireland have been hit by a double injury blow ahead of their Round 5 clash with England, with influential duo James Ryan and Garry Ringrose both ruled out.
Ryan, who captained the Men in Green in their most recent contest against Saturday’s opponents in the Autumn Nations Cup in November, was withdrawn for an HIA in the 71st minute of Ireland’s win over Scotland on Sunday and his return to play is to be managed by Leinster.
His clubmate Ringrose has played every minute of the 2021 Championship to date – only two players have gained more metres than the centre’s 358 – but will miss his side’s finale with an ankle injury.
Ringrose: Superstar Henshaw ‘a pleasure to play with’
The 26-year-old’s absence means a new partner will be required for Robbie Henshaw in midfield – Bundee Aki, Stuart McCloskey and Chris Farrell are among the likely contenders.
Ulster’s Tom O’Toole will stay with his club having picked up a knock last week but his fellow prop Finlay Bealham remains with the squad.
Elsewhere in the pack, Peter O’Mahony is back in contention for Round 5. The experienced back-rower has been absent since Round 1 following his suspension for a red card against Wales but returns to bolster Farrell’s forward options.
The Ireland head coach will name his matchday 23 on Thursday afternoon ahead of the second match of Super Saturday, with both sides looking for their third wins of the campaign.
When are the Guinness Six Nations Round 5 team announcements?
Ireland currently occupy second spot and victory this weekend would give them a good chance of staying there – but they have not had it all their own way against England in recent times, losing the last four matches between the two sides in all competitions.
Ireland squad (Round 5)
Backs Bundee Aki (Connacht) 30 caps Billy Burns (Ulster) 6 caps Ross Byrne (Leinster) 12 caps Craig Casey (Munster) 1 cap Andrew Conway (Munster) 24 caps Keith Earls (Munster) 92 caps Chris Farrell (Munster) 14 caps Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster) 9 caps Robbie Henshaw (Leinster) 51 caps Hugo Keenan (Leinster) 10 caps Jordan Larmour (Leinster) 27 caps James Lowe (Leinster) 6 caps Stuart McCloskey (Ulster) 4 caps Conor Murray (Munster) 88 caps Jonathan Sexton (Leinster) 98 caps Jacob Stockdale (Ulster) 33 caps
Forwards Ryan Baird (Leinster) 2 caps Finlay Bealham (Connacht) 14 caps Tadhg Beirne (Munster) 21 caps Ed Byrne (Leinster) 4 caps Jack Conan (Leinster) 19 caps Will Connors (Leinster) 9 caps Ultan Dillane (Connacht) 18 caps Tadhg Furlong (Leinster) 48 caps Cian Healy (Leinster) 108 caps Dave Heffernan (Connacht) 5 caps Iain Henderson (Ulster) 62 caps Rob Herring (Ulster) 20 caps Ronan Kelleher (Leinster) 10 caps Dave Kilcoyne (Munster) 42 caps Peter O’Mahony (Munster) 74 caps Andrew Porter (Leinster) 35 caps Rhys Ruddock (Leinster) 27 caps CJ Stander (Munster) 50 caps Josh van der Flier (Leinster) 30 caps
