Ireland A name eight internationals in XV to face All Blacks XV

Ireland have named twelve internationals in their A squad to face the All Blacks XV this Friday, including eight in the starting XV.

The team is captained by Munster's Craig Casey, who is one of twelve players that played the Maori All Blacks twice in July, where they both won a game apiece. The other eleven players are Gavin Coombes, Ciarán Frawley, Dave Heffernan, James Hume, Jeremy Loughman, Michael Lowry, Joe McCarthy, Jimmy O’Brien, Tom O’Toole, Cian Prendergast and Nick Timoney.

The side are also boosted by 35-cap international Jacob Stockdale on the left wing, who last represented his country in July 2021 against Japan. There is also a considerable amount of Test experience on the bench, with 48-cap Dave Kilcoyne the replacement loosehead, and 10-cap Marty Moore the replacement tighthead.

The side play an All Blacks XV at the RDS this Friday a month after Emerging Ireland enjoyed a 3-0 series win in South Africa, where they triumphed over the Windhoek Draught Griquas, the Airlink Pumas and the Toyota Cheetahs.

Meanwhile, Ireland are preparing to face the World Champions South Africa the day after at the Aviva Stadium, followed by games against Fiji and Australia.

Ireland 'A' v All Blacks XV (RDS, Friday, November 4th, 7.45pm)

15. Michael Lowry (Ulster/Banbridge) 1 cap

14. Jimmy O’Brien (Leinster/Naas) uncapped

13. Jamie Osborne (Leinster/Naas) uncapped

12. James Hume (Ulster/Banbridge) 3 caps

11. Jacob Stockdale (Ulster/Lurgan) 35 caps

10. Ciaran Frawley (Leinster/Skerries) uncapped

9. Craig Casey (Munster/Shannon) 5 caps Captain

1. Jeremy Loughman (Munster/Garryowen) uncapped

2. Dave Heffernan (Connacht/Buccaneers) 7 caps

3. Tom O’Toole (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 3 caps

4. Joe McCarthy (Leinster/Dublin) uncapped

5. Gavin Thornbury (Connacht) uncapped

6. Cian Prendergast (Connacht) uncapped

7. Nick Timoney (Ulster/Banbridge) 2 caps

8. Gavin Coombes (Munster/Young Munster) 2 caps

Replacements:

16. Diarmuid Barron (Munster/Garryowen) uncapped

17. Dave Kilcoyne (Munster/UL Bohemians) 48 caps

18. Marty Moore (Ulster) 10 caps

19. Ross Molony (Leinster/UCD) uncapped

20. Max Deegan (Leinster/Lansdowne) 1 cap

21. Caolin Blade (Connacht/Galwegians) 1 cap

22. Jack Crowley (Munster/Cork Constitution) uncapped

23. Calvin Nash (Munster/Young Munster) uncapped