1
Quartet to make first Ireland starts against Japan
By Peter Thompson
Andrew Conway, Rory Scannell, Luke McGrath and Dan Leavy will make their first Ireland starts against Japan on Saturday.
Joe Schmidt has made six changes to the side which hammered United States in New Jersey last weekend.
Conway comes in for his maiden start, so Keith Earls moves to the left wing and Simon Zebo is included at full-back for the clash in Shizuoka.
Scannell will play alongside influential centre Garry Ringrose, while half-back McGrath also starts and Leavy gets the nod at openside flanker.
Rhys Ruddock has been named as captain for a second time and number eight Jack Conan has also been included by Schmidt.
Ireland team to play Japan: Simon Zebo, Andrew Conway, Garry Ringrose, Rory Scannell, Keith Earls, Paddy Jackson, Luke McGrath; Cian Healy, Niall Scannell, John Ryan, Quinn Roux, Devin Toner, Rhys Ruddock, Dan Leavy, Jack Conan.
Replacements: James Tracy, Dave Kilcoyne, Finlay Bealham, Kieran Treadwell, Jack O'Donoghue, Kieran Marmion, Rory O'Loughlin, Tiernan O'Halloran.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Nemani Nadolo: 'Now I cut grass, do gardens, cut hedges for a living'
3
Exclusive RugbyPass interview: Toulon co-captain David Ribbans
4
Exclusive interview: Northampton's Matt Ferguson
5
Latest Comments
The prem games this season have mainly been great to watch , with the exception of Sale. So boring and predictable.
Let's have more of Bristol, Bath , Quins etc style of play.
Rugby needs expansive play to put more bums on seats . Not the dirge of rolling forward mauls constantly trying to bully their way over the line.
It has its place yes to draw the defence but the fans want to see more running rugby . Not win at any cost and sod the entertainment .
Go to commentsSo Borthwick should drop Marcus Smith? He's the odd one out, forcing the rest of the English backline into a gameplay they don't know. Replacing him with Fin or Ford makes everyone more likely to succeed.
Go to comments