Andy Farrell has handed a first Guinness Six Nations start to back-rower Nick Timoney in a much-changed matchday squad for Friday night’s visit of Wales to Aviva Stadium. There is also a potential debut for replacement scrum-half Nathan Doak while there could be Six Nations debuts for hooker Tom Stewart and centre Tom Farrell, also named on the bench. The other changes come in the forwards with Tom O’Toole handed his first start at loosehead prop, with Jeremy Loughman ruled out through a calf injury. Stewart’s replacement front row allies are loosehead Michael Milne and tighthead Thomas Clarkson while Doak, Tom Farrell and Ciaran Frawley provide the backline cover. Replacements: Tom Stewart (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Michael Milne (Nenagh Ormond/Munster), Thomas Clarkson (Blackrock College/Leinster), Joe McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster), Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster), Nathan Doak (Banbridge/Ulster), Tom Farrell (Lansdowne/Munster), Ciaran Frawley (UCD/Leinster).

Source: Irish Examiner March 04, 2026 17:02 UTC