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Ireland team to face Scotland

Ireland team to face Scotland

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has named his team to take on Scotland in their final World Cup group game

Iain Henderson and Dan Sheehan come into the starting team, with James Ryan and Ronan Kelleher dropping to the bench.

Peter O'Mahony is set to win his 100th cap for Ireland as he starts in the back row, with the 34-year-old in line to become just the 10th Irish player to reach the landmark.

Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen and James Lowe start in an unchanged Ireland back three, with Garry Ringrose and Bundee Aki continuing in the midfield. Captain Johnny Sexton partners Jamison Gibson-Park once again in the half-backs.

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Up front, Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong pack down either side of Dan Sheehan, with Tadhg Beirne and Iain Henderson named in the second row. O'Mahony, Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris complete the starting XV.

The fit-again Jack Conan is in line for his first appearance of Rugby World Cup 2023 as he's named on the replacements bench, joining forwards Ronan Kelleher, David Kilcoyne, Finlay Bealham and James Ryan, while Conor Murray, Jack Crowley and Stuart McCloskey provide the backline reinforcements.

A win in any form for Ireland will see them secure a place in the quarter-finals where they are likely to face either New Zealand or France.

There is a possibility - albeit an unlikely one - that Ireland could bow out of the tournament on Saturday evening. If Scotland can beat Ireland 8-0, then the Scots and South Africa would go through to the knockout stage with Ireland packing their bags for Dublin. Likewise, if Scotland beat Ireland

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Kick off against Scotland in Paris is on Saturday at 8 o'clock.

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