It will be the first time that Murrayfield allows fans into their stadium in almost 20 months.

The group brings together predominantly home-based players, 19 of whom featured in the 2021 Scotland summer squad which was unable to play its three intended matches due to Covid-19.

The squad is mainly made up of two of Scotland’s strongest clubs, Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby.

The remaining group of 17 players is called up having returned from either the British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa, injury or rest, having not featured in Scotland’s disrupted summer campaign.

Lions Ali Price, Hamish Watson, and Zander Fagerson all bring their experience to the group.

In the pack, Grant Gilchrist, Stuart McInally, Fraser Brown, Nick Haining and Rob Harley are called upbringing with them a combined tally of 169 caps.

Townsend has also brought in four new faces with an uncapped quartet of three forwards and a back.

There is also a call-up for Cell C Sharks loose-forward Dylan Richardson who qualifies for Scotland through his father, who was born in Edinburgh. The 22-year-old flanker has started two URC matches this season having lined up against Munster in the opening round and Glasgow Warriors in round two and was part of the matchday 23 for the South African team’s third-round win against Ospreys.

The training squad will convene on Sunday 17th October and train on Monday 18th October at Oriam High-Performance centre outside Edinburgh

Speaking on the selection Head Coach Gregor Townsend said: “It has been great to see both Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors make positive starts to their URC campaigns driven by some standout performances from both young and established players.

“We are pleased with the depth we are able to call upon to make up this training squad and it provides a genuine opportunity for players to put their hand up for selection to the full Autumn Nations Series squad.”

Autumn Nations Training Squad

Forwards:

Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors – 13 caps

Nick Haining – Edinburgh Rugby – 8 caps

Hamish Watson – Edinburgh Rugby – 41 caps

Rory Darge – Glasgow Warriors – uncapped

Dylan Richardson – Cell C Sharks – uncapped

Jamie Ritchie – Edinburgh Rugby – 27 caps

Luke Crosbie – Edinburgh Rugby – uncapped

Grant Gilchrist – Edinburgh Rugby – 45 caps

Jamie Hodgson – Edinburgh Rugby – uncapped

Rob Harley – Glasgow Warriors – 22 caps

Marshall Sykes – Edinburgh Rugby – uncapped

Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors – 38 caps

Oli Kebble – Glasgow Warriors – 8 caps

Murray McCallum – Glasgow Warriors – 3 caps

George Turner – Glasgow Warriors – 17 caps

Fraser Brown – Glasgow Warriors – 54 caps

Stuart McInally – Edinburgh Rugby – 40 caps

Pierre Schoeman – Edinburgh Rugby – uncapped

Jamie Bhatti – Glasgow Warriors – 18 caps

Backs:

Rufus McLean – Glasgow Warriors – uncapped

Damien Hoyland – Edinburgh Rugby – 4 caps

Darcy Graham – Edinburgh Rugby – 19 caps

Cole Forbes – Glasgow Warriors – uncapped

Sione Tuipulotu – Glasgow Warriors – uncapped

Mark Bennett – Edinburgh Rugby – 22 caps

Matt Currie – Edinburgh Rugby – uncapped

Sam Johnson – Glasgow Warriors – 18 caps

James Lang – Edinburgh Rugby – 6 caps

Kyle Steyn – Glasgow Warriors – 1 cap

Jack Blain – Edinburgh Rugby – uncapped

Blair Kinghorn – Edinburgh Rugby – 25 caps

Ross Thompson – Glasgow Warriors – uncapped

Charlie Savala – Edinburgh Rugby – uncapped

Ali Price – Glasgow Warriors – 42 caps

George Horne – Glasgow Warriors – 14 caps

Jamie Dobie – Glasgow Warriors – uncapped

To read more in-depth and up-to-date Ireland and international rugby news, click here.

The post Scotland announce squad for Autumn Nations Series appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray are reunited as the half-back pairing. Robbie Henshaw returns to partner his old provincial partner Bundee Aki in the centre.

The back three is unchanged from the win over Georgia, with Jacob Stockdale at fullback and Keith Earls and Hugo Keenan on the wings.

In the front row, Cian Healy is named alongside Rob Herring and Andrew Porter. James Ryan and Iain Henderson remain in the second row, while Peter O’Mahony, CJ Stander and Caelan Doris are chosen in the back row.

Ulster prop Eric O’Sullivan is named among the replacements bench following his recent call-up to the training squad. Ronan Kelleher, John Ryan, Quinn Roux and Josh van Der Flier are also on the bench. Jamison Gibson Park, Ross Byrne and Chris Farrell will provide the back line cover.

Kick-off at the Aviva Stadium is at 2.15pm and the game is live on RTÉ.

Ireland Team:

15. Jacob Stockdale, 14. Hugo Keenan, 13. Robbie Henshaw, 12. Bundee Aki, 11. Keith Earls, 10. Jonathan Sexton (captain), 9. Conor Murray.

1. Cian Healy, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Andrew Porter, 4. Iain Henderson, 5. James Ryan, 6. CJ Stander, 7. Peter O’Mahony, 8. Caelan Doris.

Ireland Replacements:

16. Ronan Kelleher, 17. Eric O’Sullivan, 18. John Ryan, 19. Quinn Roux, 20. Josh van der Flier, 21. Jamison Gibson Park, 22. Ross Byrne, 23. Chris Farrell.

The post Ireland team to play Scotland on Saturday appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Among the match day 23 named by Farrell is the uncapped Cork Constitution man Shane Daly, who is named among the replacements.

Changes from last weekend

In a largely changed side to the team that played England last weekend, James Ryan remains as captain.

The front row is made up of Finlay Bealham at loosehead, Rob Herring as hooker and Andrew Power continuing at tighthead prop.

The Ireland captain James Ryan is joined in the second row by Iain Henderson.

Tadhg Beirne is named as blindside flanker, Will Connors at openside, with CJ Stander chosen at No. 8.

Conor Murray returns to the scrum-half role and will play alongside Billy Burns who makes his first starting appearance as out-half.

Bangor’s Stuart McCloskey will partner Chris Farrell in the centre.

Keith Earls and Hugo Keenan are named on the wings with Jacob Stockdale chosen at fullback.

Shane Daly among the replacements

Alongside the uncapped Shane Daly on the bench will be plenty experience in the shape of Cian Healy and Peter O’Mahony, who have over 170 International caps between them.

Three Connacht players, namely Dave Heffernan, Quinn Roux and Kieran Marmion are also named among the replacements.

Munster’s John Ryan and Ross Byrne, who started at number 10 against England at Twickenham last weekend, are the other players among the 23-man match day squad.

The game kicks off at 2pm on Sunday next, with live coverage on both RTÉ and Channel 4.

Ireland Team

15. Jacob Stockdale, 14. Hugo Keenan, 13. Chris Farrell, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 11. Keith Earls, 10. Billy Burns, 9. Conor Murray.

1. Finlay Bealham, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Andrew Porter, 4. Iain Henderson, 5. James Ryan (captain), 6. Tadhg Beirne, 7. Will Connors, 8. CJ Stander.

Ireland Replacements

16. Dave Heffernan, 17. Cian Healy, 18. John Ryan, 19. Quinn Roux, 20. Peter O’Mahony, 21. Kieran Marmion, 22. Ross Byrne, 23. Shane Daly.

The post Ireland team to play Georgia on Sunday appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The words of Ulster Head Coach Dan McFarland, and a vote of confidence for his prop Eric O’Sullivan.

Ireland Head Coach Andy Farrell has called up O’Sullivan ahead of this weekend’s game against Georgia. Injuries continue to impact the Ireland squad, with Ed Byrne dropping out after missing the England game with a calf injury. Johnny Sexton and Robbie Henshaw remain sidelined with their respective injuries.

Munster’s John Ryan, who also missed the England defeat, will to return to training this week ahead of the Georgia clash. With both props struggling for fitness, O’Sullivan may potentially earn his first cap for his country.

The 24-year-old is part of an in-form Ulster side who have won all seven of their PRO14 fixtures this season. He will be hoping he can continue this form with Ireland if given the opportunity by Farrell.

WATCH | Relive some of the best moments from Eric O'Sullivan's debut season pic.twitter.com/07SBSWhNLc

— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) May 29, 2019

Ireland enter Sunday’s game on the back of a defeat against England after beating Wales comfortably the week before. Meanwhile, Georgia have failed to score a single point thus far, losing to both England and Wales.

The game kicks off at 2pm on Sunday at the Aviva Stadium.

The post Eric O’Sullivan earns first Ireland call-up appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Captain Johnny Sexton links up with Jamison Gibson Park at half-back and Robbie Henshaw switches to inside centre to accommodate Chris Farrell at 13. Jacob Stockdale lines out at fullback and is joined in the backfield by Hugo Keenan and the uncapped James Lowe.

In the pack Cian Healy and Andrew Porter are joined by Ronan Kelleher at hooker. Iain Henderson returns to the second row to partner James Ryan. The backrow sees Caelan Doris switch to No.8 with Peter O’Mahony at 6 and Josh van der Flier at 7.

The replacements include Dave Heffernan, Ed Byrne, Finlay Bealham, Quinn Roux, Will Connors, Conor Murray, Billy Burns and Keith Earls.

Kick-off at the Aviva Stadium is 7.00pm on Friday 13th November and the game is being televised by RTÉ and Channel 4.

Ireland Team to Play Wales – 2020 Guinness Series / Autumn Nations Cup

15. Jacob Stockdale (Ulster/Lurgan)
14. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD)
13. Chris Farrell (Munster/Young Munster)
12. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster/Buccaneers)
11. James Lowe (Leinster)
10. Jonathan Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College) (captain)
9. Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster)

1. Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf)
2. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne)
3. Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD)
4. Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy)
5. James Ryan (Leinster/UCD)
6. Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution)
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD)
8. Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College)

Ireland Replacements
16. Dave Heffernan (Connacht/Buccaneers)
17. Ed Byrne (Leinster/UCD)
18. Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers)
19. Quinn Roux (Connacht/Galwegians)
20. Will Connors (Leinster/UCD)
21. Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen)
22. Billy Burns (UIster)
23. Keith Earls (Munster/Young Munster)

The post Andy Farrell names Ireland team to play Wales in Autumn Nations Cup appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Ireland will begin their campaign when they host Wales at the Aviva Stadium on Friday 13th November.

They then travel to London to play England at Twickenham on Saturday 21st November.

The following Sunday, Ireland will host Georgia at the Aviva Stadium.

Andy Farrell’s side will complete their series of international fixtures on Saturday 5th December against either Fiji, France, Italy or Scotland.

Both Kieran Marmion and Quinn Rouxwill be available to Connacht this week before joining the Ireland squad on Sunday. Jack Conan, who was rehabbing an issue in camp, will return to Leinster to continue his rehab programme.

Ireland Squad Guinness Series / Autumn Nations Cup

Forwards (18)

All of Ireland’s games in the Autumn Nations Cup will be televised on RTÉ and Channel 4.

The post Ireland rugby squad reassembles ahead of Autumn Nations Cup appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.