Andy Farrell has brought Iain Henderson and Dan Sheehan into Ireland’s starting XV for their final Rugby World Cup pool stage game against Scotland on Saturday; Ireland need to avoid losing without a bonus point to ensure they go through to the knockout stage, while Scotland must win
Last Updated: 05/10/23 3:06pm
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James Cole explains the permutations involved in Pool B at the Rugby World Cup which could see either Ireland, Scotland or defending world champions South Africa being knocked out of the tournament
James Cole explains the permutations involved in Pool B at the Rugby World Cup which could see either Ireland, Scotland or defending world champions South Africa being knocked out of the tournament
Iain Henderson will start in place of vice-captain James Ryan in Ireland’s second row for Saturday’s pivotal Rugby World Cup clash with Scotland in Paris.
Dan Sheehan replaces Ronan Kelleher at hooker in the only other change from the side that beat South Africa nearly two weeks ago.
If Ireland avoid defeat they will top Pool B and face a likely quarter-final against New Zealand. Scotland must beat Ireland and also deny them a losing bonus point to progress.
There is also one highly unlikely scenario where Ireland and Scotland may both progress at South Africa’s expense. If the Scots beat Ireland by at least 21 points, achieve a try bonus-point in doing so (at least four tries), and Ireland also pick up a try bonus-point of their own in defeat.
Leinster lock Ryan sustained a hand injury in his Ireland’s 13-8 win over South Africa on September 23 and has been named on the bench, handing a first start of the tournament to Ulster skipper Henderson.
Sheehan has been preferred to Leinster team-mate Kelleher and will make his full World Cup debut in the other change to Andy Farrell’s starting XV, while back-rower Jack Conan is back on the bench following injury.
Sheehan came on against the Springboks a fortnight ago for his first appearance since suffering a foot injury in the warm-up win over England on August 19. Number eight Conan is in line for his first outing since damaging foot ligaments two months ago.
Centre Robbie Henshaw, who has been struggling with a niggle, has been replaced on the bench by Stuart McCloskey, while flanker Peter O’Mahony will win his 100th Ireland cap.
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Highlights from Saturday’s Rugby World Cup action as Ireland recorded victory over South Africa, England thrashed Chile and Georgia and Portugal drew
Veteran fly-half Johnny Sexton will captain his side for the fourth successive Pool B fixture following his return from an absence of almost six months due to injury and suspension.
The 38-year-old will be partnered by Jamison Gibson-Park, with the in-form Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose in midfield and wings James Lowe and Mack Hansen joining full-back Hugo Keenan in the backline.
Sheehan will be sandwiched between provincial team-mates Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong, with Henderson packing down alongside Tadhg Beirne.
Centurion O’Mahony, who made his Test debut against Italy in 2012, will continue in the back row with world player of the year Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris.
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James Cole reflects on Ireland’s 13-8 win over South Africa in Pool B
The Munster captain is set to become the 10th Irishman to reach the milestone, following Brian O’Driscoll, Ronan O’Gara, Rory Best, Paul O’Connell and John Hayes, and current team-mates Cian Healy, Sexton, Conor Murray and Keith Earls.
Conan, Ryan and McCloskey are joined in reserve by Kelleher, props Dave Kilcoyne and Finlay Bealham, scrum-half Murray and fly-half Jack Crowley.
Ireland: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 James Lowe, 10 Johnny Sexton (c), 9 Jamison Gibson-Park; 1 Andrew Porter, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Tadhg Beirne, 5 Iain Henderson, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Caelan Doris.
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 David Kilcoyne, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 James Ryan, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Jack Crowley, 23 Stuart McCloskey
Johnny Sexton will captain Ireland for their crucial final pool game against Scotland
How Ireland could knock themselves out?
There does exist a bizarre, albeit million-to-one, scenario where Ireland could knock themselves out of the tournament by kicking a conversion after scoring the bonus-point try.
Imagine Ireland score that all-important fourth try which cuts Scotland’s lead to 22 points. Were Ireland to then kick the conversion, that would reduce the deficit to 20 and a full-time result with that margin would send them out and South Africa through.
However, a team does have the option to decline attempting a conversion under rugby union’s laws, which presumably Ireland would do in such a scenario.
Even more gut-wrenching though would be if Ireland were awarded a penalty try – automatically worth seven points – which reduces Scotland’s lead to under 21 points and proves decisive in ending their World Cup campaign.