Six Nations Round Two Teams: Sexton ruled out for Ireland as Scotland ring in changes for Wales clash

Fri, Feb 11, 2022, 11:18 PM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
Less than two weeks out from the start of the inaugural season, the virtual launch will bring together the captains and coaches of all Australian-based teams as we preview this exciting new era.

Ireland has been dealt a massive blow ahead of their round two clash with France with flyhalf Johnny Sexton ruled out.

Meanwhile, Scotland has made several changes to the side after their victory over England, most notably the absence of Jamie Ritchie after a suffered a tournament-ending hamstring injury.

Catch every game of the 2022 Six Nations season on Stan Sport. Start your Free Sport Trial Now

Check out below for all the team news as it drops.

NOTE: ALL TEAMS WILL BE CONFIRMED 48 HOURS BEFORE THE RESPECTIVE GAMES.

Sunday 13 February 1:15 am AEST – Wales v Scotland at Principality Stadium, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport

Wales coach Wayne Pivac has opted to hand young flanker Jac Morgan his debut as they look to bounce back from their defeat to Ireland.

Morgan joins Taine Basham and Ross Moriarty in the back row, with Moriarty shifting to number eight in place of Aaron Wainwright.

Josh Adams has been ruled out with a calf injury, with Owen Watkin coming into the centres as Alex Cuthbert earns his first Six Nations appearance in nearly six years on the wing.

Captain Dan Biggar will become just the 9th Welshman to bring up 100 caps for Wales and the British and Irish Lions.

Meanwhile, flanker Jamie Ritchie (hamstring) has been replaced by Exeter's Sam Skinner after officials confirmed he will miss the rest of the Six Nations.

It's one of five changes to the Scottish side that defeated England 20-17, with Gregor Townsend selecting a fresh front-row with Pierre Schoeman and WP Nel starting alongside hooker Stuart McInally.

Melbourne-born centre Sione Tuipulotu comes into the starting side as they look for their first win in Cardiff in 20 years

WALES (15-1): Liam Williams; Alex Cuthbert, Owen Watkin, Nick Tompkins, Louis Rees-Zammit, Dan Biggar (c), Tomos Williams; Ross Moriarty, Jac Morgan, Taine Basham; Adam Beard, Will Rowlands; Tomas Francis, Ryan Elias, Wyn Jones

RESERVES: Dewi Lake, Gareth Thomas, Dillon Lewis, Seb Davies, Aaron Wainwright, Gareth Davies, Callum Sheedy, Jonathan Davies

SCOTLAND (15-1): Stuart Hogg (c); Darcy Graham, Chris Harris, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe; Finn Russell, Ali Price; Matt Fagerson; Hamish Watson, Sam Skinner; Grant Gilchrist, Jonny Gray; WP Nel, Stuart McInally, Pierre Schoeman

RESERVES George Turner, Rory Sutherland, Zander Fagerson, Magnus Bradbury, Rory Darge, Ben White, Blair Kinghorn, Cameron Redpath

Sunday 13 February 3:45 am AEST – France v Ireland at Stade de France, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport

France has opted for two changes to the side that thumped Italy for the clash against Ireland.

Flanker Francois Cros comes in for Dylan Cretin, who drops to the bench, completing a back row that includes Gregory Alldritt and Anthony Jelonch.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Danty has been ruled out after suffering an ankle injury during last week's 37-10 victory, replaced by Yoram Moefana in the midfield.

As for Ireland, they received a major blow with captain Sexton succumbing to a hamstring injury.

Joey Carbery steps into the halves in his place, with second-rower James Ryan taking over as captain.

It is the lone change to the starting side that defeated Wales, with British and Irish Lions duo Iain Henderson and Robbie Henshaw amongst the additions to the bench.

FRANCE (15-1): Melvyn Jaminet; Damian Penaud, Gael Fickou, Yoram Moefana, Gabin Villiere; Romain Ntamack, Antoine Dupont (c); Gregory Alldritt, Anthony Jelonch, Francois Cros, Paul Willemse, Cameron Woki; Uini Atonio, Julien Marchand, Cyril Baille

RESERVES: Peato Mauvaka, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Demba Bamba, Romain Taofifenua, Thibaud Flament, Dylan Cretin, Maxime Lucu, Thomas Ramos

IRELAND (15-1): Hugo Keenan; Andrew Conway, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, Mack Hansen; Joey Carbery, Jamison Gibson-Park; Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris; James Ryan (c), Tadhg Beirne; Tadhg Furlong, Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher

RESERVES: Dan Sheehan, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, Iain Henderson, Peter O'Mahony, Conor Murray, Jack Carty, Robbie Henshaw

Monday 7 February 2 am AEST – Italy v England at Stadio Olimpico de France, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport

Italy coach Kieran Crowley and England coach Eddie Jones has made multiple changes to their teams as both sides hunt for their first victory in the Six Nations.

Federico Mori comes into the wing, replacing last week's debutant Tommaso Menoncello.

South African-born backrower Braam Steyn replaces Sebastian Negri at blindside flanker and tight-head prop Pietro Ceccarelli is in for Tiziano Pasquali.

Cherif Traore, lock David Sisi and scrum-half Alessandro Fusco are amongst the new additions.

Meanwhile, Harry Randall has been handed a start at scrumhalf, with Ben Youngs reverting to the bench.

Youngs will equal Jason Leonard's record of 114 England international appearances if he is called upon.

Jones has been forced to refresh his pack after flanker Lewis Ludlam was ruled out with a rib injury.

Maro Itoje has moved from lock to blindside flanker with Alex Dombrandt at No 8 in place of the benched Sam Simmonds.

ITALY (15-1): Edoardo Padovani; Federico Mori, Juan Ignacio Brex, Marco Zanon, Monty Ioane; Paolo Garbisi, Stephen Varney; Toa Halafihi, Michele Lamaro (capt), Braam Steyn; Federico Ruzza, Niccolo Cannone; Pietro Ceccarelli, Gianmarco Lucchesi, Danilo Fischetti

RESERVES: Epalahame Faiva, Cherif Traore, Tiziano Pasquali, David Sisi, Sebastian Negri, Giovanni Pettinelli, Alessandro Fusco, Leonardo Marin

ENGLAND (15-1): Freddie Steward; Max Malins, Joe Marchant, Henry Slade, Jack Nowell; Marcus Smith, Harry Randall; Alex Dombrandt, Tom Curry (capt), Maro Itoje; Nick Isiekwe, Charlie Ewels; Will Stuart, Jamie George, Ellis Genge

RESERVES: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Joe Marler, Kyle Sinckler, Ollie Chessum, Sam Simmonds, Ben Youngs, George Ford, Elliot Daly

Share
Pollock handed first England start for Ireland visit
Lynagh lineage continues as youngest Nic impresses Wallabies brother Tom on Ballymore arrival
'Had myself to blame': Kailea motivated to make up for lost Test time
Cale prioritising Brumbies over Wallabies after fast Super start