Ireland Gamble on Loughman as Lowe and Furlong Miss Out for France Six Nations Opener

Ireland’s 2026 Six Nations campaign begins with a statement selection call in Paris, as Jeremy Loughman is handed a rare international start while established stars James Lowe and Tadhg Furlong are left out of the starting XV for the clash with France at the Stade de France. Andy Farrell’s team announcement has sparked debate across Irish rugby circles, not just for who is included, but for the weighty names missing when the championship kicks off.

Jeremy Loughman Returns as Ireland Face France in Six Nations Opener

For Loughman, this selection is both a reward and a risk. The Munster prop will make his first Ireland appearance in almost two years and his first Test start since November 2022, stepping into one of the most demanding roles in world rugby against a powerful French pack.

Circumstances have forced Farrell’s hand. Ireland’s three first-choice loose-head props — Andrew Porter, Paddy McCarthy and Jack Boyle — are all sidelined through injury, leaving a glaring hole on the left side of the scrum. At 30, Loughman is suddenly the senior option, trusted to anchor the scrum in one of the most intimidating away fixtures in international rugby.

His Munster team-mate Michael Milne provides cover from the bench, earning only his third and fourth caps after previous appearances against Georgia and Portugal. It underlines just how stretched Ireland are in this position, and why Loughman’s selection feels so pivotal to Ireland’s hopes of starting the tournament on the right foot.

No James Lowe or Tadhg Furlong as Farrell Makes Bold Calls

The absence of James Lowe is one of the headline talking points. The British and Irish Lion has been a mainstay of Ireland’s backline in recent years, offering power, aerial ability and a booming left boot. Yet for this opener, Farrell has opted to reshuffle his back three.

With Hugo Keenan ruled out after fracturing his hand in training, Jamie Osborne steps in at full-back for his first Ireland appearance since November’s meeting with Japan. Osborne had been competing directly with Jacob Stockdale for the number 15 jersey, but the Ulster man instead shifts to the left wing — a role typically owned by Lowe.

Completing the back three is Tommy O’Brien, whose selection continues Farrell’s trend of backing form and versatility over reputation alone. It is a youthful, energetic backfield, but one lacking the experience and physical edge that Lowe usually brings on the biggest stages.

Up front, the decision to leave out Tadhg Furlong also raised eyebrows. The Leinster tight-head returned to training last week after a calf issue, but Farrell has resisted the temptation to rush him back. Instead, Thomas Clarkson starts at tight-head, with Finlay Bealham providing cover from the bench.

It is a reminder that Ireland’s injury list has not been confined to one area. Losing both first-choice props in the same match would test any squad’s depth, and Farrell’s selection reflects a careful balancing act between managing fitness and remaining competitive against one of the strongest teams in the championship.

Ireland Pack Reshaped as Loughman Leads a New-Look Front Row

Behind Loughman and Clarkson, Dan Sheehan starts at hooker, bringing pace and accuracy to a front row that will be under immediate scrutiny from France’s formidable forwards.

The second row pairing of Joe McCarthy and Tadhg Beirne is another significant call. With Beirne moved into the engine room, there is no place in the starting XV for James Ryan, who instead finds himself among the six forwards on the bench. Connacht’s Cian Prendergast takes the blind-side flanker role in the absence of Ryan Baird, while Josh van der Flier and captain Caelan Doris complete a back row built on work-rate and physicality.

Farrell’s willingness to bench Ryan — a leader and Lions regular — speaks volumes about the competition for places within this squad, even amid an injury crisis. It is also a nod to the form shown by Prendergast at provincial level, with the Connacht forward earning one of the biggest starts of his international career.

New Faces and Familiar Pairings in Ireland’s Backline

In midfield, Stuart McCloskey partners Garry Ringrose, with Ireland still without Bundee Aki due to suspension and Robbie Henshaw through injury. McCloskey’s inclusion adds size and directness, while Ringrose’s defensive reading will be crucial against a dangerous French midfield.

At half-back, Farrell has kept faith with Sam Prendergast, despite growing pressure from Harry Byrne. The 22-year-old fly-half links up once again with Jamison Gibson-Park, a partnership that has become increasingly familiar at both club and international level. It is a clear signal that Farrell sees Prendergast as central to Ireland’s future, even in the unforgiving environment of Paris.

The bench composition also tells its own story. With just two backs — Craig Casey and Jack Crowley — among the replacements, Ireland are clearly preparing for a physical battle. The presence of Jack Conan and Nick Timoney offers flexibility in the back row, while Ryan’s inclusion provides leadership and lineout expertise should it be needed late on.

Ireland Team Selection Reflects Depth Issues and Long-Term Thinking

Few Ireland selections in recent memory have been debated as intensely as this one. Injuries to key figures such as Mack Hansen, Hugo Keenan, Bundee Aki, and Tadhg Furlong have forced Farrell into difficult decisions, but there is also a sense of long-term planning at play.

Starting Loughman, backing Osborne at full-back, and persisting with Prendergast at fly-half all point towards a head coach willing to trust depth and reward form, even in the cauldron of a Six Nations opener in France.

Whether that gamble pays off will be decided under the lights of the Stade de France. What is certain is that Ireland’s campaign begins not with comfort or familiarity, but with bold calls, patched-up depth, and a loose-head prop given the chance of a lifetime.

As the Six Nations gets underway, Ireland’s faith in Jeremy Loughman, and their willingness to leave out stars like James Lowe and Tadhg Furlong, will shape not only this opening night in Paris, but the tone of their entire championship.