Six Nations: No Lowe or Furlong for Ireland but revitalised Stockdale 'buzzing' for Paris

Jeremy Loughman and Cian Prendergast also get the nod as Les Bleus welcome Ireland to the Stade de France on Thursday (8.10)

Cian Prendergast and Thomas Clarkson ahead of the 2026 Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship. Photo: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

ANDY Farrell has rewarded patience and hard work in his selection of an injury-hit Ireland squad to face France in a daunting Six Nations opener at Stade de France on Thursday night.

Fresh opportunities for Jeremy Loughman at loosehead prop and left wing Jacob Stockdale in the starting XV against the defending champions have come after several involvements in Ireland camps without reward and the pair were two of seven changes made by the head coach from the final outing of 2025, a 24-13 defeat at home to South Africa that was far more comprehensive than the scoreline suggests.