Six Nations: Ireland name Sam Prendergast, Jamie Osborne, Jacob Stockdale for opener in France but Tadhg Furlong ruled out

Sam Prendergast, Jamie Osborne and Jacob Stockdale have each been picked to start for Ireland against France in their Six Nations opener in Paris, but Tadhg Furlong has been ruled out. 

With Ireland already shorn of Andrew Porter, Paddy McCarthy and Jack Boyle on the loosehead side of the scrum, the absence of tighthead prop Furlong - due to a calf injury - is a major blow for Andy Farrell.

Ireland are also without experienced trio Hugo Keenan (fractured thumb), Mack Hansen (foot injury) and Bundee Aki (suspension).

Prendergast starts at fly-half ahead of Jack Crowley and Harry Byrne - despite the latter having usurped him at provincial level for Leinster.

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At full-back, Osborne returns from a shoulder injury to play for the first time since November, and completes the back-three alongside Tommy O'Brien and Stockdale - the latter's form rewarded ahead of James Lowe.

Garry Ringrose and Stuart McCloskey are paired in the centres, while Jamison Gibson-Park starts at scrum-half.

Munster's Jeremy Loughman starts at loosehead, with provincial teammate Michael Milne among the replacements, and forms the front-row with hooker Dan Sheehan and tighthead Tom Clarkson.

Joe McCarthy and Tadhg Beirne partner one another in the second-row, while Cian Prendergast - brother of Sam - is a surprise back-row selection at blindside flanker, with openside Josh van der Flier and No 8 Caelan Doris completing the team.

There is no room in the squad for exciting Munster lock Edwin Edogbo, but Ireland do name a 6-2 replacements bench of forwards to backs comprising of: Milne, Ronan Kelleher, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, Jack Conan, Nick Timoney, Craig Casey and Crowley.

"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," head coach Andy Farrell said.

"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's side to face France

Ireland: 15 Jamie Osborne, 14 Tommy O'Brien, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park; 1 Jeremy Loughman, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Tom Clarkson, 4 Joe McCartthy, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 6 Cian Prendergast, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Caelan Doris (c).

Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Michael Milne, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 James Ryan, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Nick Timoney, 22 Craig Casey, 23 Jack Crowley.

Ireland's 2026 Six Nations Fixtures

• France - Stade de France - Thursday, February 5 - 8.10pm (GMT)
• Italy - Aviva Stadium - Saturday, February 14 - 2.10pm (GMT)
• England - Allianz Stadium, Twickenham - Saturday, February 21 - 2.10pm (GMT)
• Wales - Aviva Stadium - Friday, March 6 - 8.10pm (GMT)
• Scotland - Aviva Stadium - Saturday, March 14 - 2.10pm (GMT)