Lock McCarthy ruled out of England clash

IRELAND lock Joe McCarthy will miss tomorrow's Guinness Six Nations opener against England due to injury.

- ED ELIOT

Interim head coach Simon Easterby has moved Tadhg Beirne into the second row to replace McCarthy, with Ryan Baird given a rare international start after being named at blindside flanker.

Leinster fly-half Sam Prendergast is again preferred to Munster's Jack Crowley, having worn the number 10 jersey for his country's final two autumn fixtures, victories over Fiji and Australia.

McCarthy, 23, started each of Ireland's 11 Tests in 2024 on the back of an impressive display in last year's championship opener away to France.

Baird has won the bulk of his 24 Test caps as a replacement but did start when back-to-back champions Ireland completed the Grand Slam by beating England in 2023.