Seven changes for Ireland, including two new caps in their pack

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.

Bok lock Jean Kleyn on SA’s World Rugby Player of the Year candidates and Eben Etzebeth

Jean Kleyn is relishing every moment in the Bok camp and learning from Eben Etzebeth again as he prepares for his first Test appearance since last year’s World Cup Final.

Bok lock Jean Kleyn on SA’s World Rugby Player of the Year candidates and Eben Etzebeth

Jean Kleyn is relishing every moment in the Bok camp and learning from Eben Etzebeth again as he prepares for his first Test appearance since last year’s World Cup Final.

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.

Team Form

Last 5 Games

22 - 19

13 - 23

24 - 25

27 - 20

17 - 13

19 - 33

19 - 24

57 - 17

41 - 17

22 - 3

3

Wins

4

1

Streak

2

10

Tries Scored

18

-9

Points Difference

22

4/5

First Try

2/5

3/5

First Points

0/5

4/5

Race To 10 Points

1/5

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)