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Squad "united in the excitement of the challenge ahead" | Andy Farrell

Ireland head-coach Andy Farrell says his injury-hit squad remains confident of beating France in ...



Ireland head-coach Andy Farrell says his injury-hit squad remains confident of beating France in the Guinness Six Nations tomorrow. 

Key trio Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray, and James Ryan have been ruled out for the visit of Les Blues while Peter O'Mahony is suspended.

Faith has been placed in Billy Burns at out-half while Jamison Gibson-Park, Rhys Ruddock, and Iain Henderson come in to start.

It'll be Ulster lock Henderson's first time to skipper the side and he's taken the team for his captain's run at the Aviva Stadium this afternoon.

Ireland need a win tomorrow to have any chance of landing the championship for the first time since 2018 and Farrell insists his players are up for the challenge.

"We're excited about it. We've obviously lost a few experienced players during the week but one man's loss is another man's opportunity," he said.

"The squad is united in the excitement of the challenge ahead for the weekend.

"You have your fingers crossed along the way that things don't go this way, but that's why you pick a squad like you do in the autumn and give people a chance to see what it's like at international rugby.

"Our squad depth is coming into play at this moment in time. It's been challenging, but every Test week always presents its own challenges.

"There has been a lot going on this week but we're a squad and we've been a squad since we met up. Everyone has been swapping in and out.

"You always have at the back of your mind the 'what if' scenarios and here we are. We will give it our best shot, there is no doubt about that."

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Andy Farrell Ireland Six Nations