Peter O'Mahony returns to Ireland lineup as Ben O'Connor and Sean Edogbo start for U20s

CORK'S Peter O'Mahony returns to the Ireland team to captain the side for the Six Nations clash against Wales at Aviva Stadium, with Jack Crowley retaining the number 10 jersey.

Ireland kicked off the campaign with wins over France and Italy and after a week off return to the sold-out Aviva Stadium, 2.15pm, on Saturday.

O'Mahony is restored to face Warren Gatland‘s side, becoming the ninth Ireland player to reach 50 Six Nations appearances, following in the footsteps of Rory Best, Ronan O’Gara, Brian O’Driscoll, Cian Healy, Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray, John Hayes and Paul O’Connell.

In the absence of Hugo Keenan, Farrell has selected Ciaran Frawley at full-back, as he partners Calvin Nash and James Lowe in the back three on the occasion of his first Test start in green.

Bundee Aki returns to the starting XV to continue his midfield partnership with Robbie Henshaw, while Jamison Gibson-Park and Crowley start at scrum-half and out-half.

In the pack, Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong are named in the front row, with Joe McCarthy continuing in the second row alongside Tadhg Beirne. O’Mahony skippers the team from the back row, alongside Josh van der Flier at openside flanker and Caelan Doris at number eight.

The Ireland Coaching Team have opted for a 6-2 split on the bench, as Ronan Kelleher, Cian Healy, the uncapped Oli Jager, James Ryan, Ryan Baird and Jack Conan provide the reinforcements in the pack.

Backs Conor Murray and Stuart McCloskey complete Ireland's squad.

Meanwhile, on home turf on Friday, Cork's Ben O'Connor and Sean Edogbo will start in the U20 Six Nations clash at Virgin Media Park. O'Connor, the former Cork and St Finbarr's GAA star, was Man of the Match when they beat Italy in the last game, with Edogbo scoring a brilliant late try to decide it.

Another Leesider Danny Sheahan is on the bench as they aim to keep their Six Nations grand slam bid on track.

IRELAND (Senior v Wales, Saturday):

Ciaran Frawley (UCD/Leinster), Calvin Nash (Young Munster/Munster), Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster), Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht), James Lowe (Leinster), Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster); Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster), Dan Sheehan (Lansdowne/Leinster), Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster), Joe McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster), Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster), Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster, c), Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster), Caelan Doris (St Mary’s College/Leinster).

Replacements: Ronan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster), Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster), Oli Jager (Munster), James Ryan (UCD/Leinster), Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster), Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster), Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/Ulster).

IRELAND (U20s v Wales, Friday):

Ben O’Connor (UCC RFC/Munster), Finn Treacy (Galwegians RFC/Connacht), Wilhelm de Klerk (UCD RFC/Leinster), Hugh Gavin (Galwegians RFC/Connacht), Hugo McLaughlin (Lansdowne FC/Leinster), Jack Murphy (Clontarf FC/Leinster), Oliver Coffey (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster); Ben Howard (Terenure College RFC/Leinster), Henry Walker (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster), Patreece Bell (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby), Joe Hopes (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster), Evan O’Connell (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster, c), Sean Edogbo (UCC RFC/Munster), Bryn Ward (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster), Luke Murphy (Shannon RFC/Munster). 

Replacements: Danny Sheahan (Cork Constitution FC/Munster), Alex Usanov (Clontarf FC/Leinster), Jacob Boyd (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster), Billy Corrigan (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster), Tom Brigg (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster), Tadhg Brophy (Naas RFC/Leinster), Sean Naughton (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht), Davy Colbert (Dublin University FC/Leinster).