Ireland's O'Mahony returns for Scotland game

Peter O'Mahony's return sees Ryan Baird drop to the bench

Men's Six Nations: Scotland v Ireland

Date: Sunday, 9 February Venue: Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh Kick-off: 15:00 GMT

Coverage: Watch on BBC One & BBC iPlayer; live on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio Ulster & BBC Sounds; live text commentary on BBC Sport website

Peter O'Mahony has been recalled to the Ireland team for Sunday's Six Nations game against Scotland at Murrayfield.

The Munster flanker, who was not included in the matchday squad for last week's win over England, is handed his first start since last summer's tour of South Africa by interim head coach Simon Easterby.

Wing Mack Hansen and tight-head prop Finlay Bealham have been passed fit to start, while Robbie Henshaw replaces Garry Ringrose at outside centre as Easterby makes two changes.

Sam Prendergast is again given the nod at fly-half in what will be his first away Test, with Jack Crowley to be used off the bench.

Hooker Dan Sheehan and back row Jack Conan are kept among the replacements despite eye-catching displays off the bench against England.

Easterby said bringing O'Mahony back in for this game was a decision "we have been thinking about for a couple of weeks".

"Certainly after the England performance, we felt like it was a good chance to bring Pete in and bring his experience to the table and keep Bairdo [Ryan Baird] involved off the bench," said Easterby.

Ireland team to face Scotland

Ireland: Keenan; Hansen, Henshaw, Aki, Lowe; Prendergast, Gibson-Park; Porter, Kelleher, Bealham; Ryan, Beirne; O'Mahony, Van der Flier, Doris (capt).

Replacements: Sheehan, Healy, Clarkson, Baird, Conan, Murray, Crowley, Ringrose.

O'Mahony plays 'right on the edge'

O'Mahony captained Ireland to last year's Six Nations title before Caelan Doris took over as skipper before the autumn Tests.

The 35-year-old did not start any of Ireland's November games having gone into that campaign with a hamstring issue but returns to replace Ryan Baird in the back row.

"He has that ability, doesn't he, to play big when it's needed," added Easterby.

"He had the edge around him in training last week when he wasn't involved and brought a lot of competition to the group to those who were starting. He was disappointed not to get the selection in the 15 or 23 for England.

"I think what he does do when he plays against sides like Scotland is he plays right on the edge, he's confrontational.

"He leads by example, other players will certainly follow that example and he brings the type of experience that takes time and caps to build the know-how and knowledge."

Healy set to surpass O'Driscoll

Bealham's availability is a boost for Easterby with Tadhg Furlong still ruled out through injury.

Easterby has also opted to keep Sheehan is reserve despite an impactful display off the bench against England that yielded his ninth Six Nations try.

Sheehan was making his Test return after six months out with an anterior cruciate ligament injury and helped Ireland beat England alongside the impressive Conan, who caught the eye in his first international since last year's Six Nations.

Alongside them on the bench is prop Cian Healy, who will surpass former Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll as the country's most-capped player in the men's Six Nations if he comes on for his 66th appearance.

Iain Henderson, a replacement second row against England, drops out of the squad.

Ireland, who are aiming to win a third successive Six Nations title, have won each of their past 10 encounters against Scotland.