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Ireland name RWC rookie on the bench for All Blacks clash
Head Coach Andy Farrell has named his Ireland team for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand at Stade de France.
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After topping Pool B, Ireland go head-to-head with the All Blacks in Paris, with Farrell naming an unchanged starting team from last weekend’s victory over Scotland.
Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen and James Lowe continue in the back three, with Garry Ringrose and Bundee Aki powering the midfield. Captain Johnny Sexton and Jamison Gibson-Park form the formidable half-back pairing.
In the pack, Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong are up front, while Tadhg Beirne partners Iain Henderson in the second row. Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris make up a highly impressive loose trio.
On the bench, Ronan Kelleher, Dave Kilcoyne, Finlay Bealham, Joe McCarthy and Jack Conan provide support for the forwards, with Conor Murray, Jack Crowley and Jimmy O’Brien – in line for his Rugby World Cup debut – completing the match day 23.
IRELAND TEAM TO FACE NEW ZEALAND
15. Hugo Keenan
14. Mack Hansen
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Bundee Aki
11. James Lowe
10. Johnny Sexton (c)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
1. Andrew Porter
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Tadhg Beirne
5. Iain Henderson
6. Peter O’Mahony
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Caelan Doris
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Replacements:
16. Ronan Kelleher
17. David Kilcoyne
18. Finlay Bealham
19. Joe McCarthy
20. Jack Conan
21. Conor Murray
22. Jack Crowley
23. Jimmy O’Brien
The Irish bench floundered against the Scots and now no Ryan plus a WC debutant. Ireland will need their starters to play deep into the match. They won’t have the luxury of a 30 point lead against the ABs.
Unfortunately the All Black’s have got their A game going with 240 points scored in their last 3 games. Sure, Ireland pride themselves on their defence but the first test demolition job NZ did on them will be there in their heads. Hopefully the officials will be neutral and allow a free flowing game.
El mejor partido de rugby que se puede ver actualmente creo que ganara Irlanda la veo mas motivada y su delantera esta demoledora.
Looking forward to the possibility of an all black backs Sabre squad from the bench. Roigard, D'mac, ALB or Ioane. NZ has juicy possibilities for cutting it up in the second half. I'd be tempted to start ALB for his defence and have Ioane on the bench and heading for left wing.
Irish bench with no James Ryan or Robbie Henshaw is an intense disaster, both would make the Allblacks starting 23 without question and are huge holes in the ability to sustain and absorb pressure over the course of the match.
Jack Conan a quality international number eight but elsewhere on that bench the Irish are in big trouble if they're forced to go early at lock or centre..
We know both wingers are fairly banged up and will be targeted with them both picked to start only due to the weaknesses on the bench.
Ireland's depth in a multi week tournament I called over a year ago as at this stage in their ongoing growth to be insufficient to go all the way.
Their first eighteen now reduced to sixteen is of the highest quality but they're reliant on honest toilers beyond the 16th man.
Can Ireland still win? Absolutely, they simply need the refs to send off an Allblack and then it's game on.
If Ireland loses a lock expect to see Conan come on to protect McCarthy with O’Mahony shifted into lock.
If Ireland loses a centre then expect to see Crowley at flyhalf with Johnny at inside centre and Bundee or Ringrose at centre.
Bar Ryan missing that's the strongest 23 Ireland can put out.
I think Ireland are favourites for this one but it's such a 50/50 game.
The only thing I can say for sure is that it's going to be an absolute belter for the full 80.
It’s now or never, only missing 1 starter in Ryan and Henderson is no slouch, big big game. COYBIG