Six Nations team news: Brothers Cian and Sam Prendergast to both start against France
Jeremy Loughman, Cian Prendergast and Jacob Stockdale will all start for Ireland against France in Thursday’s Guinness Men's Six Nations opener in Paris (8.10pm Irish time) as Andy Farrell mixes selection at the outset of the 2026 championship.
There are seven changes and a switch to a split of six forwards and two backs on the bench from the side which started the 24-13 home defeat to South Africa last time out on November 22nd.
Most are injury-enforced, but centre Bundee Aki is suspended for the first three rounds of the campaign, and lock James Ryan drops to the bench while left wing James Lowe has been omitted.
Caelan Doris once again captains the side from No 8 with head coach Farrell naming Cian Prendergast at blindside flanker in the absence of injured Ryan Baird, while Josh van der Flier continues at openside flanker.
Tadhg Beirne is joined in the second row by a fit-again Joe McCarthy, while Munster’s loosehead prop Jeremy Loughman earns his first Six Nations start with Andrew Porter, Paddy McCarthy and Jack Boyle all injured.
Dan Sheehan retains the hooker’s jersey, but Tadhg Furlong’s bid to pass fit following a calf injury has come up short, and Thomas Clarkson gets to start at tighthead prop for his 10th cap.
Sam Prendergast will start alongside brother Cian for the first time in a Test match, having retained the fly-half role ahead of Munster’s Jack Crowley, named on the bench, and strong claims from Leinster team-mate Harry Byrne, who misses out.
Ulster’s Stuart McCloskey starts at inside centre in Aki’s absence following the Connacht man’s four-game ban following a misconduct complaint.
The back three sees Jamie Osborne return at full-back for his first appearance since a shoulder injury sustained against Japan last November and in the continued absence of Hugo Keenan and Mack Hansen through injuries.
Tommy O’Brien starts on the right wing, while Stockdale has been selected on the left wing instead of Lowe.
Nick Timoney has been named as a back-row replacement alongside Jack Conan. Crowley joins his Munster half-back partner Craig Casey as the second backline replacement.
"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,” 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 (v France)
Jamie Osborne; Tommy O’Brien, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Jeremy Loughman, Dan Sheehan, Thomas Clarkson; Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne; Cian Prendergast, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt).
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Michael Milne, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, Jack Conan, Nick Timoney, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley.
