Farrell keeps faith in McCloskey, Bealham starts amid Furlong injury trouble 

McCloskey, as expected, is named at inside centre for the trip to Cardiff to take on Gatland's Wales. 

CHANCE TO IMPRESS: Stuart McCloskey. Pic: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Andy Farrell has kept faith with Stuart McCloskey to continue the midfield role for Ireland he performed last November for Saturday’s 2023 Guinness Six Nations opener against Wales in Cardiff but Tadhg Furlong has not been passed fit to play.

SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP

Your home for the latest news, views and analysis of this year's Six Nations Championship from our award winning sports team.

SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP

Your home for the latest news, views and analysis of this year's Six Nations Championship from our award winning sports team.