Felix Jones to lead Wolfhounds against Saxons

Felix Jones to lead Wolfhounds against Saxons

Fullback Felix Jones will captain a strong Ireland Wolfhounds side against England Saxons at Irish Independent Park, Cork on Friday night.

The only uncapped player in the starting XV is Jack Conan who lines out at No.8 and he is joined in the backrow by Sean O’Brien and Dominic Ryan. Iain Henderson continues his return from injury locking down in the second row alongside Mike McCarthy while the front-row consists of Mike Ross, Richardt Strauss and Jack McGrath.

Kieran Marmion will combine with Ian Madigan at half-back with Gordon D’Arcy and Keith Earls forming the centre partnership. Jones is joined in the back three by Fergus McFadden and Luke Fitzgerald.

Front-row replacements for Friday’s fixture include Rob Herring, Michael Bent and Nathan White. Robbie Diack and Eoin McKeon provide back five cover with Isaac Boss, Noel Reid and Craig Gilroy covering the outfield.

The Ireland Wolfhounds, sponsored by Three, kick-off against the England Saxons at 19:45 at Irish Independent Park, Cork and the match will be televised live on RTE and SKY.

IRELAND WOLFHOUNDS vs England Saxons

15. Felix Jones (Shannon/Munster) captain
14. Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
13. Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
12. Gordon D’Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
11. Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster)
10. Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)
9. Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht)

8. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
7. Sean O’Brien (UCD/Leinster)
6. Dominic Ryan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
5. Mike McCarthy (Leinster)
4. Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
3. Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
2. Richardt Strauss (Old Wesley/Leinster)
1. Jack McGrath (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)

Replacements:
16. Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
17. Michael Bent (Leinster)
18. Nathan White (Galwegians/Connacht)
19. Robbie Diack (Malone/Ulster)
20. Eoin McKeon (Corinthians/Connacht)
21. Isaac Boss (Terenure/Leinster)
22. Noel Reid (Clontarf/Leinster)
23. Craig Gilroy (Dungannon/Ulster)