Captain Doris returns for crunch match against France

Interim Ireland head coach Simon Easterby has named a formidable side to face France in what’s been widely billed as a Six Nations 2025 decider.

Captain Caelan Doris is back in the starting line-up having missed the Wales match through injury, with Jack Conan moving to the bench. Hugo Keenan and Finlay Bealham are also recalled to the XV while, with Garry Ringrose suspended after his Principality Stadium red card, Bundee Aki returns at inside centre.

In the backs, Keenan returns at full-back, with Jamie Osborne shifting to the wing alongside James Lowe – Mack Hansen drops out of the 23. Aki joins Robbie Henshaw in the centres, while Sam Prendergast and Jamison Gibson-Park (players of the match in Ireland’s last two games) resume their half-back partnership.

In the pack, Bealham joins Andrew Porter and Dan Sheehan in the front row. Joe McCarthy and Tadhg Beirne start at lock, and Doris, Peter O’Mahony and Josh van Der Flier complete the back row.

Clearly conscious of France’s power up front, Ireland have opted for a 6-2 split on the bench for the first time since their Six Nations opener against England. Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Thomas Clarkson, James Ryan, Jack Conan, Ryan Baird, Conor Murray and Jack Crowley are the eight replacements.

Whatever the result, it’s set to be an emotional occasion, with Doris, Conan and Bealham winning their 50th caps, and Irish centurions Peter O’Mahony, Cian Healy and Conor Murray – who announced their international retirements last week – playing their final games at the Aviva Stadium.

“Saturday presents another huge opportunity for the squad to play at home, in front of a packed Aviva Stadium,” said Easterby. “The team has worked hard again this week and the preparation has been positive for what we know will be a huge test against France.

“There’s great respect and rivalry between the two teams and it should be a cracking contest. This weekend gives the Irish public the chance to mark the final home international appearances for Peter, Cian and Conor – three stalwarts of Irish rugby who help drive the highest standards in our camp. I would also like to congratulate Finlay, Jack and Caelan on reaching the 50-cap milestone. It’s a huge moment for them, their families and their team-mates and we will look to make it a day to remember for each of these players.”

Ireland v France kicks off at 2.15pm GMT on Saturday 8 March.

Ireland Six Nations team v France

15. Hugo Keenan
14. Jamie Osborne
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Bundee Aki
11. James Lowe
10. Sam Prendergast
9. Jamison Gibson-Park

1. Andrew Porter
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Finlay Bealham
4. Joe McCarthy
5. Tadhg Beirne
6. Peter O’Mahony
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Caelan Doris (captain)

Replacements:
16. Rob Herring
17. Cian Healy
18. Thomas Clarkson
19. James Ryan
20. Jack Conan
21. Ryan Baird
22. Conor Murray
23. Jack Crowley

Ireland Six Nations team v Wales

15. Jamie Osborne
14. Mack Hansen
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Robbie Henshaw
11. James Lowe
10. Sam Prendergast
9. Jamison Gibson-Park

1. Andrew Porter
2. Dan Sheehan (captain)
3. Thomas Clarkson
4. Joe McCarthy
5. Tadhg Beirne
6. Peter O’Mahony
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Jack Conan

Replacements:
16. Gus McCarthy
17. Jack Boyle
18. Finlay Bealham
19. James Ryan
20. Cian Prendergast
21. Conor Murray
22. Jack Crowley
23. Bundee Aki

Ireland Six Nations team v Scotland

15. Hugo Keenan
14. Mack Hansen
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Bundee Aki
11. James Lowe
10. Sam Prendergast
9. Jamison Gibson-Park

1. Andrew Porter
2. Rónan Kelleher
3. Finlay Bealham
4. James Ryan
5. Tadhg Beirne
6. Peter O’Mahony
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Caelan Doris (captain)

Replacements:
16. Dan Sheehan
17. Cian Healy
18. Thomas Clarkson
19. Ryan Baird
20. Jack Conan
21. Conor Murray
22. Jack Crowley
23. Garry Ringrose

Ireland Six Nations team v England

15. Hugo Keenan
14. Mack Hansen
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Bundee Aki
11. James Lowe
10. Sam Prendergast
9. Jamison Gibson-Park

1. Andrew Porter
2. Rónan Kelleher
3. Finlay Bealham
4. James Ryan
5. Tadhg Beirne
6. Ryan Baird
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Caelan Doris (captain)

Replacements:
16. Dan Sheehan
17. Cian Healy
18. Thomas Clarkson
19. Iain Henderson
20. Jack Conan
21. Conor Murray
22. Jack Crowley
23. Robbie Henshaw

Ireland Six Nations squad 2025

Ireland have called Gavin Coombes, John Hodnett, Diarmuid Mangan, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale and Nick Timoney into the squad for the match against Wales. Iain Henderson and Cormac Izuchukwu are unavailable

Forwards

Ryan Baird
Finlay Bealham
Tadhg Beirne
Jack Boyle
Thomas Clarkson
Jack Conan
Gavin Coombes
Max Deegan
Caelan Doris
Tadhg Furlong
Cian Healy
Rob Herring
John Hodnett
Rónan Kelleher
Diarmuid Mangan
Gus McCarthy
Joe McCarthy
Peter O’Mahony
Darragh Murray
Tom O’Toole
Andrew Porter
Cian Prendergast
James Ryan
Dan Sheehan
Nick Timoney
Josh van der Flier

Backs 

Bundee Aki
Caolin Blade
Jack Crowley
Ciaran Frawley
Jamison Gibson-Park
Mack Hansen
Robbie Henshaw
Hugo Keenan
James Lowe
Stuart McCloseky
Conor Murray
Calvin Nash
Jimmy O’Brien
Tommy O’Brien
Jamie Osborne
Sam Prendergast
Jacob Stockdale
Garry Ringrose

Development players

Hugh Cooney
Cathal Forde
James McNabney
Ben Murphy

Read more: How to watch the Six Nations 2025 from anywhere

Ireland Six Nations squad: Line-ups from every match in 2024

Round 1: v France (Orange Velodrome, Marseille)

Starting XV: Hugo Keenan, Calvin Nash, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, James Lowe, Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne, Peter O’Mahony (captain), Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris

Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Ciaran Frawley

Result: France 17-38 Ireland

Round 2: v Italy (Aviva Stadium)

Starting XV: Hugo Keenan; Calvin Nash, Robbie Henshaw, Stuart McCloskey, James Lowe;  Jack Crowley, Craig Casey, Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Finlay Bealham, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Caelan Doris, Jack Conan

Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Jeremy Loughman, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson, Josh van der Flier, Jamison Gibson-Park, Harry Byrne,  Jordan Larmour

Result: Ireland 36-0 Italy

Round 3: v Wales (Aviva Stadium)

Starting XV: Ciaran Frawley; Calvin Nash, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne, Peter O’Mahony,  Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris

Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Cian Healy, Oli Jager, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Stuart McCloskey

Result: Ireland 31-7 Wales

Round 4: v England (Twickenham)

Starting XV: Hugo Keenan; Calvin Nash, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan,
Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne, Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris

Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, Iain Henderson, Ryan Baird, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Ciaran Frawley

Result: England 23-22 Ireland

Round 5: v Scotland (Murrayfield)

Starting XV: Hugo Keenan; Calvin Nash, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne, Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris

Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, Ryan Baird, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Harry Byrne, Garry Ringrose

Result: Ireland 17-13 Scotland

Ireland Six Nations squad 2024

Forwards

Ryan Baird (Leinster)
Finlay Bealham (Connacht)
Tadhg Beirne (Munster)
Jack Conan (Leinster)
Caelan Doris (Leinster)
Tadhg Furlong (Leinster)
Cian Healy (Leinster)
Iain Henderson (Ulster)
Ronan Kelleher (Leinster)
Jeremy Loughman (Munster)
Joe McCarthy (Leinster)
Peter O’Mahony (Munster)
Tom O’Toole (Ulster)
Andrew Porter (Leinster)
James Ryan (UCD/Leinster)
Dan Sheehan (Leinster)
Tom Stewart (Ulster)
Nick Timoney (Ulster)
Josh van der Flier (Leinster)

Backs

Bundee Aki (Connacht)
Harry Byrne (Leinster)
Craig Casey (Munster)
Jack Crowley (Munster)
Ciaran Frawley (Leinster)
Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)
Robbie Henshaw (Leinster)
Hugo Keenan (Leinster)
Jordan Larmour (Leinster)
James Lowe (Leinster)
Stuart McCloskey (Ulster)
Conor Murray (Munster)
Calvin Nash (Munster)
Garry Ringrose (Leinster)
Jacob Stockdale (Ulster)