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Earls captains as Ireland reveal team for second Maori game

By Kim Ekin
Keith Earls /PA

After losing the opening game in Hamilton 32 - 17, Ireland have named Keith Earls captain as they attempt to even the series against the Maori All Blacks.

In the midfield, Ulster's Stuart McCloskey lines up alongside Earls while Craig Casey and Ciaran Frawley remain at halfback. Jimmy O'Brien moves to the left flank, Jordan Larmour to the right, and Michael Lowry to fullback.

Joe McCarthy and Kieran Treadwell are listed at lock, and Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, and Tom O'Toole make up the front row. Gavin Coombes is positioned at No. 8, Cian Prendergast is at No. 6, Nick Timoney is at No. 7, and the backrow from the first game against the Mori is still in place.

Rob Herring, Ed Byrne, Finlay Bealham, Ryan Baird, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Joey Carbery and Mack Hansen make up the replacement bench.

"We’ve some young lads in that changing room that have been inspired by these lot (the Test team), who want to get back out there again on Tuesday night and perform well against the Maori," Farrell said after Ireland's historic victory over New Zealand.

“These lads have taken a lot of pain, that’s what we’ve put them under, the pressure of taking them out of their comfort zone.

“The weeks have been totally different to what they’ve been used to before because of us trying to play five games in such a short space of time and there’s been no whinging.

“They’ve been mentally really tough and they’ll back the lads up as well to make sure they’re in good form for Tuesday night.”

IRELAND TEAM VS MAORI:

15. Michael Lowry

14. Jordan Larmour

13. Keith Earls

12. Stuart McCloskey

11. Jimmy O’Brien

10. Ciaran Frawley

9. Craig Casey

1. Jeremy Loughman

2. Niall Scannell

3. Tom O’Toole

4. Joe McCarthy

5. Kieran Treadwell

6. Cian Prendergast

7. Nick Timoney

8. Gavin Coombes

Replacements:

16. Rob Herring

17. Ed Byrne

18. Finlay Bealham

19. Ryan Baird

20. Jack Conan

21. Conor Murray

22. Joey Carbery

23. Mack Hansen