Just one XV change for Ireland, but two rookies named on the bench

Andy Farrell has unveiled an Ireland team that has just one alteration from the XV that lost 13-23 to New Zealand last Friday, Robbie Henshaw replacing Bundee Aki at inside centre.

The Irish were off the pace in their Autumn Nations Series opener, the 10-point defeat seeing them relinquish the World Rugby No1 ranking, but their reaction has been to keep faith with 14 of those same 15 starters.

Their selection gets more interesting on the much-changed bench, however, with uncapped Leinster pair, tighthead Thomas Clarkson and out-half Sam Prendergast, named at the expense of the injured Tom O’Toole and the out-of-sorts Ciaran Frawley.

Rassie Erasmus on facing England at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday.

The Springboks will be bracing themselves for a huge showdown against an England team desperate to right the wrongs after suffering back-to-back home defeats.

Rassie Erasmus on facing England at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday.

The Springboks will be bracing themselves for a huge showdown against an England team desperate to right the wrongs after suffering back-to-back home defeats.

There are also two other bench changes with Ryan Baird and Craig Casey respectively included as sub second row and sub scrum-half in place of Iain Henderson and Conor Murray.

Sub loosehead Cian Healy has been retained, though, lining him up to join Brian O’Driscoll as Ireland most capped Test player.

Team Form

Last 5 Games

22 - 19

52 - 17

22 - 19

13 - 23

24 - 25

37 - 23

22 - 19

18 - 50

48 - 7

29 - 28

4

Wins

2

3

Streak

2

16

Tries Scored

15

32

Points Difference

-25

4/5

First Try

1/5

4/5

First Points

1/5

4/5

Race To 10 Points

1/5

Farrell said: “There has been a sharp focus in training this week and the squad are determined to get back to winning ways in front of a vocal home crowd. Friday will be a special night at Aviva Stadium for more reasons than one.

“For Cian, on the other end of the career spectrum, it will be an incredible moment for him, his family and friends to reach Brian O’Driscoll’s 133-cap landmark.

“We will pay tribute to Cian again, but he is a legend of the game in Ireland and his influence amongst his teammates, past and present, transcends his many successes on the field. It promises to be a special night.”

Ireland (vs Argentina, Friday)
15. Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster) (40)
14. Mack Hansen (Corinthians/Connacht) (22)
13. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster) (61)
12. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster) (74)
11. James Lowe (Leinster) (34)
10. Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster) (17)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster) (36)
1. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster) (67)
2. Ronan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster) (34)
3. Finlay Bealham (Corinthians/Connacht) (43)
4. Joe McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster) (13)
5. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster)(65)
6. Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster) (53)
7. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster) (65)
8. Caelan Doris (St Mary’s College/Leinster) (44) (captain)

Replacements:
16. Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster) (41)
17. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) (132)
18. Thomas Clarkson (Dublin University/Leinster) (0)
19. Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster) (22)
20. Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster) (108)
21. Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster) (15)
22. Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster) (0)
23. Jamie Osborne (Naas/Leinster) (3)