James Lowe started that game but the groin injury he sustained after 18 minutes ruled the left wing out of the remaining two matches. Stockdale was a more like for like replacement for the left-booted Lowe but handing O’Brien a start on his less familiar flank reignites his partnership with fellow wing Rob Baloucoune. It was a double act which caused England problems throughout, the pair combining on the Baloucoune’s right wing to break into the 22 in the build-up to Jamison Gibson-Park’s opening try. There remains a healthy Ulster contingent in the Irish set-up, with seven from the northern province included in the matchday 23 which faced Wales. Hooker Tom Stewart made his championship debut off the bench and scrum-half Nathan Doak looked assured on his Ireland debut as Gibson-Park’s replacement.

Source: Irish Examiner March 10, 2026 07:30 UTC