Six Nations Round Five Teams: Hansen returns for Ireland, Scotland hand down discipline punishments

Fri, Mar 18, 2022, 10:15 PM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
Mack Hansen returns for Ireland. Photo: Getty Images
Mack Hansen returns for Ireland. Photo: Getty Images

In the final round of the 2022 Six Nations, teams have made plenty of changes as they look to finish on a high.

Ireland have recalled former Brumby Mack Hansen after their win over England whilst Scotland have revealed a host of players have been disciplined after a night out, confirming a raft of changes.

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

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

Sunday 20 March 1:15am AEDT – Wales v Italy at Principality Stadium, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport

Whilst out of title calculations, the Welsh have plenty of motivation as Dan Biggar (100) and Alun Wyn Jones (150) bring up their milestone caps.

Wyn Jones is a surprise call-up, having missed the entire tournament due to a shoulder injury.

Biggar retains the captaincy and will become the seventh Welshman to win 100 caps for his country.

Elsewhere, Dewi Lake makes his first start for Wales at hooker while scrum-half Gareth Davies and inside centre Willis Halaholo come in for their first games among several changes.

Italy coach Kieran Crowley has rewarded the squad which pushed Scotland to the end, making just two changes.

Young full-back Ange Capuozzo is handed his first start after starring from the bench with a double.

In the forwards, Marco Fuser returns to take his place in the second row alongside Federico Ruzza.

WALES (15-1): Johnny McNicholl; Louis Rees-Zammit, Owen Watkin, Uilisi Halaholo, Josh Adams, Dan Biggar (c), Gareth Davies; Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake, Dillon Lewis, Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones, Seb Davies, Josh Navidi, Taulupe Faletau

RESERVES: Bradley Roberts, Wyn Jones, Leon Brown, Will Rowlands, Ross Moriarty, Kieran Hardy, Callum Sheedy, Nick Tompkins

ITALY (15-1): Ange Capuozzo; Edoardo Padovani, Juan Ignacio Brex, Leonardo Marin, Montanna Ioane; Paolo Garbisi, Callum Braley; Danilo Fischetti, Giacomo Nicotera, Pietro Ceccarelli, Marco Fuser, Federico Ruzza, Giovanni Pettinelli, Michele Lamaro (captain), Toa Halafihi.

RESERVES: Bigi, Cherif Traore, Tiziano Pasquali, David Sisi, Niccolò Cannone, Braam Steyn, Alessandro Fusco, Marco Zanon.

Sunday 20 March 3:45 am AEDT – Ireland v Scotland at Aviva Stadium, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport

Former Brumbies winger Mack Hansen has been brought back into Ireland's Six Nations team as they seek to win the triple crown against Scotland.

Ireland have also recalled No. 8 Jack Conan, while Iain Henderson was confirmed at lock for James Ryan (concussion).

Captain Johnny Sexton will become Ireland's joint sixth most capped player, equalling John Hayes' 105 cap tally when he leads the side out.  

Meanwhile, Scotland have rung the changes after it emerged a group of players have been disciplined after they breached team protocols following their Six Nations victory over Italy.

They included captain Stuart Hogg, star flyhalf Finn Russell, Ali Price, Darcy Graham, Sam Johnson and Sione Tuipulotu.

Tuipulotu was not included in the side, with Russell dropped to the bench. Scotland coach Gregor Townsend made no reference to any disciplinary issues when naming his side to play title-chasing Ireland on Thursday.  

Jonny Gray also replaces Exeter team-mate Sam Skinner in the second row.

IRELAND (15-1):Hugo Keenan; Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Johnny Sexton (c), Jamison Gibson-Park; Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris; Iain Henderson, Tadhg Beirne; Tadhg Furlong, Dan Sheehan, Cian Healy

RESERVES: Rob Herring, Dave Kilcoyne, Finlay Bealham, Kieran Treadwell, Peter O'Mahony, Conor Murray, Joey Carbery, Robbie Henshaw

SCOTLAND (15-1): Stuart Hogg (c); Darcy Graham, Chris Harris, Sam Johnson, Kyle Steyn; Blair Kinghorn, Ali Price; Matt Fagerson, Hamish Watson, Rory Darge; Grant Gilchrist, Jonny Gray; Zander Fagerson, George Turner, Pierre Schoeman

RESERVES: Fraser Brown, Allan Dell, WP Nel, Sam Skinner, Josh Bayliss, Ben White, Finn Russell, Mark Bennett

Sunday 20 March 7:00 am AEDT – France v England at Stade de France, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport

Damian Penaud has been brought back to play on the wing for France in their bid to seal the Six Nations grand slam against England in Paris.

Penaud, who has scored three tries in this year's tournament, was forced to sit out the 13-9 win against Wales in Cardiff last Friday after he contracted Covid-19.

Lock Romain Taofifenua also missed the trip to Cardiff as has been included on a 6-2 split bench

England coach Eddie Jones has shifted fullback Freddie Steward to the wing, pushing George Furbank to the back.

Charlie Ewels' three match ban for a high shot sees Nick Isiekwe come into the second row with Sam Underhill coming in for the injured Tom Curry.

Ben Youngs, England's most capped player, has also been brought back to start at scrum-half instead of Harry Randall.

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

RESERVES: Peato Mauvaka, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Mohamed Haouas, Donavan Taofifenua, Thibaud Flament, Dylan Cretin, Maxime Lucu, Thomas Ramos

ENGLAND (15-1): George Furbank; Freddie Steward, Joe Marchant, Henry Slade, Jack Nowell, Marcus Smith, Ben Youngs; Sam Simmonds, Sam Underhill, Courtney Lawes (capt); Nick Isiekwe, Maro Itoje; Will Stuart, Jamie George, Ellis Genge

RESERVES: Nic Dolly, Joe Marler, Kyle Sinckler, Ollie Chessum, Alex Dombrandt, Harry Randall, George Ford, Elliot Daly

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