Roscommon man set to make Six Nations debut
Darragh Murray is in line to make his first appearance in the Six Nations. Picture: INPHO/Ben Brady
A Roscommon man is poised to make his Six Nations debut after being named in the matchday 23 for Ireland’s crucial final round showdown with Scotland.
Darragh Murray has been selected among the replacements as Ireland try and secure a fourth win in a row since their opening round defeat to France.
The lock will become the first Roscommon man to appear for Ireland in the Six Nations since Jack Carty came off the bench against France in the Stade de France in February 2022.
Murray has been capped twice for Ireland, with those appearances coming last Summer against Georgia and Portugal.
The Connacht man trained with the Ireland squad before their Six Nations showdown with France last year while he was also called in before Ireland faced Australia in the November Series.
Andy Farrell has made four changes to the team that beat Wales 27-17 last time out.
Joe McCarthy returns to the line-up to partner Tadhg Beirne in the second row, with James Ryan ruled out due to a calf injury.
Hooker Dan Sheehan and flanker Josh van der Flier also return to the pack as Ronan Kelleher and Nick Timoney drop to the bench.
Tommy O'Brien is named on the left wing in Farrell's only backline change.
Murray is joined in the squad by fellow Connacht players Finlay Bealham and Bundee Aki, with the latter set to make his first appearance of this year's Six Nations.
A win for Ireland will give them their fourth Triple Crown in five years, while they could still win the Six Nations outright, if France slip up against England in Paris and Ireland beat a resurgent Scotland.
Ireland will face Scotland this Saturday at 2.10 p.m. The match will be shown live on Virgin Media One with coverage starting at 1pm.
