Ireland team to play France: 2024 Guinness Six Nations

RUCK’s 2024 Guinness Six Nations content

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Peter O’Mahony captains Ireland for the Round 1 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 Bank of Ireland Nations Series.

Nash is part of the back three alongside Hugo Keenan, who plays at full-back, and James Lowe on the left. In the Ireland midfield, Bundee Aki partners Robbie Henshaw.

In the half-back positions, Jamison Gibson-Park starts at nine, while Jack Crowley takes the out-half spot, making his first Six Nations start.

The front row features Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, and Tadhg Furlong, with McCarthy earning his sixth cap in the engine room alongside Beirne. Captain O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier, and Caelan Doris complete the starting team.

Coach Farrell has chosen a six-two split on the replacements bench, with Ronan Kelleher, the returning Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, and Jack Conan providing reinforcements in the pack. Conor Murray and Ciaran Frawley, set for his first Championship appearance, are the backline options.

France win: 4/7

Ireland win: 13/8

Draw: 22/1

15. Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster)(36)

14. Calvin Nash (Young Munster/Munster)(1)

13. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster)(67)

12. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht)(52)

11. James Lowe (Leinster)(26)

10. Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster)(9)

9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)(30)

1. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster)(59)

2. Dan Sheehan (Lansdowne/Leinster)(21)

3. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster)(72)

4. Joe McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster)(5)

5. Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster)(46)

6. Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster)(captain)(101)

7. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster)(57)

8. Caelan Doris (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)(36)

16. Ronan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster)(26)

17. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)(125)

18. Finlay Bealham (Buccaneers/Connacht)(36)

19. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster)(59)

20. Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster)(15)

21. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)(41)

22. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)(112)

23. Ciaran Frawley (UCD/Leinster)(1).

One of the most noteworthy modifications is the introduction of the shot clock, designed to ramp up the pace of the game and eliminate time-wasting tactics.

Teams will now face the pressure of time constraints, with a mere 90 seconds allotted for taking a conversion after scoring a try.

The urgency intensifies during penalty kicks, where teams have just 60 seconds to execute. In addition, the shot clock imposes stricter time limits on lineouts and scrums, reducing their duration to a brisk 30 seconds. Furthermore, the ball must now be released from the ruck within a mere 5 seconds, ensuring a faster and more dynamic flow to the game.

Another major shake-up awaiting fans in the 2024 Six Nations is the utilization of the Bunker, a feature familiar from its recent appearance during the Summer Nations Series.

Match officials will now have the option to consult the Foul Play Review Official stationed in the 'Bunker' when faced with unclear or ambiguous incidents of foul play, particularly when two big screen replays fail to provide a decisive verdict.

This adjustment serves a dual purpose. Firstly, it prevents prolonged interruptions to the game as officials strive for accurate decisions on contentious incidents.

Secondly, after a yellow card is issued, it allows the Foul Play Review Official an extended timeframe to deliberate on the necessity of a red card, all while the on-field action continues.

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The Television Match Official (TMO), responsible for scrutinizing match action from a distance, is also undergoing a shift in its role.

In the 2024 Six Nations, TMOs can now only interrupt play to investigate instances of serious or dangerous play that may have escaped the attention of the on-field referee.

This modification ensures that TMO interventions are reserved for situations of significant impact, maintaining the fluidity of the game.

As the 2024 Six Nations approaches, these changes promise to enhance the overall viewing experience, blending tradition with innovation for a captivating display of rugby prowess.

Our latest quiz invites you to identify those who have captained their nations to Guinness Six Nations glory. It's worth noting that in certain instances, there may be multiple captains from the same year due to factors such as injuries and rotation.

Surnames only will be accepted.