Mack Hansen takes Robbie Henshaw place in Ireland's team to face Romania.
Henshaw, who is set to start on the bench has been taken out of the squad as a 'precaution', says the IRFU.
The rest of the team is as follows
Jonathan Sexton returns as the Captain to lead the Ireland team against Romania as they kick off their Pool B campaign in Bordeaux.
The back three comprises Hugo Keenan, Keith Earls, and James Lowe, while Garry Ringrose and Bundee Aki form the Ireland midfield. Sexton, serving as Captain, pairs up with scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park as the half-back combination.
Return of the Mack!
Mack Hansen replaces Robbie Henshaw on the bench against Romania. | #RWC2023 @VodafoneIreland | #TeamOfUs https://t.co/S1kNyebalC— Off The Ball (@offtheball) September 9, 2023
In the forward pack, the front row features Andrew Porter, Rob Herring, and Tadhg Furlong. Joe McCarthy, one of six players making their Rugby World Cup debuts, partners James Ryan in the second row. Tadhg Beirne takes the blindside flanker position, with Peter O’Mahony at openside and Caelan Doris at number eight.
Farrell has a formidable bench, including reinforcements like Rob Herring, Jeremy Loughman, and Tom O’Toole in the front row. Iain Henderson and Josh van der Flier provide cover in the second and back row, respectively, and Conor Murray, Jack Crowley, and Mack Hansen are the backline replacements.
The game is scheduled for Saturday at 2:30 pm Irish time (3:30 pm local time).
You can catch the match live on Virgin Media One in the Republic of Ireland and ITV1 in the United Kingdom.
Ireland team
Fullback. 15. Hugo Keenan
Winger. 14. Keith Earls
Centres 13. Garry Ringrose 12. Bundee Aki
Winger 11. James Lowe
Outhalf 10 Jonathan Sexton Scumhalf 9. 9. Jamison Gibson-Park
Front Row 1. Andrew Porter 2. Rob Herring 3. Tadhg Furlong
Second Row 4. Joe McCarthy 5. James Ryan
Back Row 6. Tadhg Beirne 7. Peter O’Mahony 8. Caelan Doris
