Sheehan to captain much-changed Ireland against Wales

Guinness Men’s Six Nations: Wales v Ireland

Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff Date: Saturday, 22 February Kick-off: 14: 15 GMT

In the Six Nations game against Wales on Saturday, Dan Sheehan will lead Ireland.

With Caelan Doris, the team’s regular skipper, still out with a knee injury, the hooker will take the place for the first time.

Ronan Kelleher is sidelined in Ireland’s victories over England and Scotland, but Sheehan, 26, makes seven changes in the team’s victory at Murrayfield.

Leinster tight-head prop Thomas Clarkson will start for the first time after making his debut in November, while loose-head prop Jack Boyle will make his Test debut off the bench.

Joe McCarthy returns to the second row after recovering from a head injury that kept him out of the first two games, taking Doris’ place at number eight, while Jack Conan replaces him.

After missing the Scotland game, Mack Hansen returns to the wing, and Bundee Aki is named starting alongside Robbie Henshaw in midfield, with Robbie Henshaw taking the place of Robbie Henshaw.

Hugo Keenan will start for Jamie Osborne at full-back in his Six Nations debut, and Sam Prendergast will be relegated to fly-half after impressing in his away debut against Scotland.

With victory over Wales, who have lost their previous 14 Tests, Ireland are hoping to win the Triple Crown and move one step closer to a third successive title.

After taking over from Warren Gatland last week, interim head coach Matt Sherratt will take charge of Wales.

Wales’ match in Cardiff is a great test, according to interim Ireland head coach Simon Easterby, who is aware of the challenge ahead of them.

“Wales will be reenergized and determined to impress in front of a vocal home support with a new coaching set-up.”

Sheehan’s impressive recovery from injury is complete with being named the 111th men’s player to lead Ireland in a Test match.

The 26-year-old injured his anterior cruciate ligament in Ireland’s summer series against South Africa, but he recovered in time to lead Leinster against the Stormers in January, and he started scoring off the bench in victories over England and Scotland.

” We have made a few changes to the squad this week, some of which were enforced, and we’re confident that the 23 we have selected are primed and ready to go, “added Easterby.

Dan Sheehan’s selection as captain is a result of his high standing with the team, both on and off the field. He will relish the unique opportunity to take the helm of Ireland for the first time, I can assure you.