Dan Sheehan named captain as Ireland make seven changes to face Wales

Michael Bolton

Hooker Dan Sheehan has been named captain as Ireland make seven changes to the starting team to face Wales in the Six Nations.

Sheehan captains Ireland for the first time, as he makes his first start of the campaign.

In the front row with Sheehan, Tom Clarkson makes his first start for Ireland at tighthead, with Andrew Porter at loosehead.

With captain Caelan Doris injured, Jack Conan starts at number eight and is joined in the back row by Josh Van Der Flier and Peter O'Mahony.

Joe McCarthy returns from injury to partner Tadhg Beirne in the second row, with James Ryan on the bench.

Jamie Osborne makes his first start in the Six Nations as he comes in for Hugo Keenan at full-back, with Garry Ringrose partnering Robbie Henshaw in the centre.

Mack Hansen is back from injury to take his place on the right wing, with James Lowe on the left.

Prop Jack Boyle is in line to make his debut from the bench, with Gus McCarthy set to make his first appearance in the Six Nations after impressing in November.

Ireland team to play Wales: Jamie Osborne (Leinster); Mack Hansen (Connacht), Garry Ringrose (Leinster), Robbie Henshaw (Leinster), James Lowe (Leinster); Sam Prendergast (Leinster), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster); Andrew Porter (Leinster), Dan Sheehan (Leinster, capt), Thomas Clarkson (Leinster); Joe McCarthy (Leinster), Tadhg Beirne (Munster); Peter O’Mahony (Munster), Josh van der Flier (Leinster), Jack Conan (Leinster).

Replacements: Gus McCarthy (Leinster), Jack Boyle (Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Connacht), James Ryan (Leinster), Cian Prendergast (Connacht), Conor Murray (Munster), Jack Crowley (Munster), Bundee Aki (Connacht).