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Seven changes for Ireland, including two new caps in their pack
By Liam Heagney
Andy Farrell has named an Ireland side to face Fiji on Saturday in Dublin that has seven changes – including debut caps for Gus McCarthy and Cormac Izuchukwu – from the team that hung on to a narrow win over Argentina last weekend.
Beaten by New Zealand in their opening November match, the Irish got their Autumn Nations Series back on track with a 22-19 success versus the Pumas and they have now altered five backs and two forwards for the Aviva Stadium arrival of the Pacific Islanders.
Robbie Henshaw and Mack Hansen are the only two backline starters retained from last week with Jamie Osborne, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale, Sam Prendergast and Craig Casey all named to start in place of Hugo Keenan, Garry Ringrose, James Lowe, Jack Crowley and Jamison Gibson-Park.
There is greater selection consistency in the forwards as Andrew Porter, Finlay Bealham, Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne, Josh van der Flier and skipper Caelan Doris have all been included again with McCarthy, the debut-making hooker, replacing Ronan Kelleher and Izuchukwu in for James Ryan but starting at blindside as Beirne has changed roles.
With Casey, Prendergast and Osborne promoted to start and Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Ryan Baird and Peter O'Mahony excluded, their is only one retention on the Irish bench from Argentina, tighthead Thomas Clarkson. He is joined in reserve on this occasion by Kelleher, Tom O'Toole, Iain Henderson, Cian Prendergast, Conor Murray, Ciaran Frawley and Stuart McCloskey.
Speaking on irishrugby.ie, Farrell said: “There were signs of improvement last weekend and this week has been about building and embracing the challenge of a talented Fijian side who will be coming over to Dublin full of confidence after their recent displays.
“On Saturday we welcome two new more debutants and I’m delighted for Cormac and Gus who have impressed with their work rate and application over recent weeks and months.
“They have both performed strongly for their provinces, brought that good form into the recent Emerging Ireland tour and are now being rewarded for their efforts. We wish them well as they take this exciting next steps in their careers.”
Ireland (vs Fiji, Saturday)
15. Jamie Osborne (Naas/Leinster) (4)
14. Mack Hansen (Corinthians/Connacht) (23)
13. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster) (75)
12. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht) (58)
11. Jacob Stockdale (Lurgan/Ulster) (37)
10. Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster) (1)
9. Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster) (16)
1. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster) (68)
2. Gus McCarthy (UCD/Leinster) (0)
3. Finlay Bealham (Corinthians/Connacht) (44)
4. Joe McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster) (14)
5. Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster)(54)
6. Cormac Izuchukwu (Ballynahinch/Ulster) (0)
7. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster) (66)
8. Caelan Doris (St Mary’s College/Leinster) (45) (captain)
Replacements:
16. Ronan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster) (35)
17. Tom O’Toole (Ballynahinch/Ulster) (14)
18. Thomas Clarkson (Blackrock College/Leinster) (1)
19. Iain Henderson (Academy/Ulster) (82)
20. Cian Prendergast (UCD/Connacht) (3)
21. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) (119)
22. Ciaran Frawley (UCD/Leinster) (7)
23. Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/Ulster) (18)
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Latest Comments
I agree it needs looked it. Most clubs and nations are now identifying talent long before they are capped and directly influencing what country they represent. Not all teams obviously but it's certainly a trend.
It used to be that an electric 22 years old winger would announce himself for the ABs by scoring on debut in the July tests. Announce themselves on the big stage playing for their country. Nowadays if they’re scouted at 14 or 15 and developed elsewhere, you've no idea where they may end up.
Most young talent I see nowadays I have to Google them to get an idea of what international Jersey they might even wear.
The only thing that keeps the discussion on Ice is probably the boks. They don't go overseas for talent and their RWC record speaks for itself. On the flipside most of their talent plays club rugby outside of SA which is another can of worms.
Go to commentsAgreed. Just to add to that the hitherto leaky Crisaders defence was resolute and enabled them to establish an amazing 31 to zip lead at the 60 minute mark. A couple of late lapses allowed the dangerous Drua attack to reduce the final margin somewhat but the game was virtually won by then. Only criticism would be the number of handling mistakes made but the steamy playing conditions probably contributed to that. Not many teams come away from Suva with such a comfortable margin. Pity they were unable to show the same fortitude against Moana.
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