Six Nations: three Ulster players named in Ireland squad for opener against France

Three Ulster players have been included in the Ireland squad for the opening game of the Six Nations on Thursday.

Jacob Stockdale (main pic) and Stuart McCloskey are named in Andy Farrell's starting line-up while Nick Timoney is on the bench.

Stockdale starts in a back three with Jamie Osborne and Tommy O’Brien.

McCloskey, meanwhile, will partner Garry Ringrose in midfield.

Stockdale (29), was named player of the championship in 2018 but has been a peripheral figure for most of Head Coach Andy Farrell's reign.

Farrell said: "He's back to being himself this year, that's for sure.

"I think if you speak to him, he'd be delighted that he's just simplified things and got down to what he's good at, and that's beating people.

"And we've seen that plenty, certainly this season. Jacob is playing well. He deserves his chance."

Meanwhile, in the pack, Jeremy Loughman, Dan Sheehan and Thomas Clarkson are in the front row, with Joe McCarthy and Tadhg Beirne in the engine room and Cian Prendergast, Josh van der Flier and captain Doris in the back row.

Farrell has strong options available on the bench with Rónan Kelleher, Michael Milne, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, Jack Conan and Nick Timoney the forward replacements, with backs Craig Casey and Jack Crowley completing Ireland’s Match Day 23.

He said: “I’ve been pleased with the application of the squad since we linked up last week and we’ve a good body of work under our belts from our training camp in Portugal as we face into an exciting test match against France. The Six Nations is an amazing tournament to compete in and it brings out the best in players.

“We have played at the Stade de France many times and it’s a terrific stadium with an incredible atmosphere. We know from our experiences on the road how proud and vocal the travelling Irish support can be and it’s a huge motivator for the squad knowing that we have so many Irish supporters behind us.”

Ireland (v France):

15. Jamie Osborne (Naas/Leinster)(10)

14. Tommy O’Brien (Blackrock College/Leinster)(6)

13. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster)(69)

12. Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/Ulster)(23)

11. Jacob Stockdale (Lurgan/Ulster)(40)

10. Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster)(13)

9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)(46)

1. Jeremy Loughman (Garryowen/Munster)(5)

2. Dan Sheehan (Lansdowne/Leinster)(35)

3. Thomas Clarkson (Blackrock College/Leinster)(10)

4. Joe McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster)(19)

5. Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster)(65)

6. Cian Prendergast (UCD/Connacht)(8)

7. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster)(75)

8. Caelan Doris (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)(55)(captain)

Replacements:

16. Rónan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster)(43)

17. Michael Milne (UCD/Munster)(2)

18. Finlay Bealham (Corinthians/Connacht)(54)

19. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster)(76)

20. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)(55)

21. Nick Timoney (Queen’s University/Ulster)(6)

22. Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster)(24)

23. Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster)(30).