No place for Henshaw as Ballinasloe player makes U-20 team
Robbie Henshaw is a surprise omission from Ireland's match-day squad for this Saturday's Six Nations Championship opener against Wales at the Aviva Stadium.
Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose have been chosen in the two centre positions, which means there is no place for Henshaw, a winner of two Ireland player of the year awards for 2021.
The Athlone man was also selected on the British & Lions team for the three tests against South Africa last summer.
It's very surprising that Henshaw is not included among the replacements considering his outstanding form last year, along with his versatility and experience.
There is also no place in the squad for fellow Athlone native Jack Carty. Joey Carbery has been given the nod as replacement out-half, with team captain Johnny Sexton starting in the pivotal number 10 role as expected.
Buccaneers player Finlay Bealham is included among the subs for Saturday's game (kick-off 2.15pm).
Connacht's Mack Hansen is set to make his Ireland debut against Wales, with the Australia native having been selected by Andy Farrell on the left wing.
Meanwhile, Matthew Devine from Ballinasloe has been selected at scrum-half on the Ireland team for the opening round of the U-20 Six Nations against Wales. The match takes place at Musgrave Park, Cork tomorrow (Friday, kick-off 8pm).
Former Garbally College student Matthew is a son of Mick Devine, an influential figure for Buccaneers during his playing days.
Ireland team v Wales
(Guinness Six Nations 2022, Round 1)
15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 16 caps
14. Andrew Conway (Munster/Garryowen) 27 caps
13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD) 37 caps
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht/Galwegians) 33 caps
11. Mack Hansen (Connacht) uncapped
10. Johnny Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 101 caps (captain)
9. Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster) 12 caps
1. Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD) 40 caps
2. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne) 16 caps
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf) 52 caps
4. Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne) 25 caps
5. James Ryan (Leinster/UCD) 40 caps
6. Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 12 caps
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD) 35 caps
8. Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere) 22 caps
Replacements:
16. Dan Sheehan (Leinster/Lansdowne) 2 caps
17. Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf) 112 caps
18. Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers) 18 caps
19. Ryan Baird (Leinster/Dublin University) 6 caps
20. Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution) 79 caps
21. Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen) 92 caps
22. Joey Carbery (Munster/Clontarf) 27 caps
23. James Hume (Ulster/Banbridge) 1 cap
Ireland U-20s (v Wales)
15. Patrick Campbell (Young Munster RFC/Munster)
14. Chay Mullins (Bristol Bears/IQ Rugby)
13. Fionn Gibbons (UCD RFC/Leinster)
12. Ben Brownlee (Blackrock College/Leinster)
11. Shane Mallon (UCD RFC/Leinster)
10. Charlie Tector (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
9. Matthew Devine (Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
1. Jack Boyle (UCD/Leinster)
2. James McCormick (Ballymena RFC/Ulster)
3. Scott Wilson (Queen’s University Belfast/Ulster)
4. Conor O’Tighearnaigh (UCD RFC/Leinster)
5. Mark Morrissey (UCD RFC/Leinster)
6. James McNabney (Ballymena RFC/Ulster)
7. Reuben Crothers (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster) captain
8. James Culhane (UCD RFC/Leinster).
Replacements:
16. Josh Hanlon (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
17. Oisin Michel (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
18. Rory McGuire (UCD/Leinster)
19. Adam McNamee (Malone RFC/Ulster)
20. Ronan O'Sullivan (Highfield RFC/Munster)
21. Ethan Coughlan (Shannon RFC/Munster)
22. Tony Butler (Garryowen FC/Munster)
23. Aitzol King (Clontarf FC/Leinster).