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Thomond Park hosts an Irish XV taking on Fiji in their non-cap international, which promises to be an open fixture as personal points look to be made.
Six Ulster, four Munster, four Leinster and one Connacht player have been handed starts for the Irish as this fringe outfit look to prove their worth.
Fiji meanwhile enter following a dismal final 60 minutes after starting so brightly against England while off-field concerns cloud their game. Bringing you up to speed, the Fijian Rugby Federation recently made a formal complaint to their French counterparts over Jone Qovu withdrawing from their squad claiming he was injured before playing for his club Racing. This after shocking revelations by ex-club coach Simon Mannix.
The picture couldn't be more different for Ireland as their Rugby Football Union has serious clout when it comes to managing their international players. Their first-team stars are not in the XV this week and for many supporters this is a much-needed hit-out to test their depth, something that has long been a concern. Subsequently we saw a prop, who had pretty much got off the plane from New Zealand join the international fray.
Quality that is coming through the ranks though comes in the shape of Iain Henderson, Paddy Jackson, David Kilcoyne and Luke Marshall and they make starts this week. It would have been good to see scrum-half Paul Marshall start as he is more deserving than most.
While a home victory is expected, there is a smattering of cautiousness from Declan Kidney in that six of last week's starters make the replacements bench. Expect if things are tight on the 55-minute mark that Cian Healy, Jonathan Sexton and Simon Zebo will get the call.
"This is a special group. There's a lot of positive energy around, said a delighted Ireland forwards coach following their narrow 16-12 defeat to South Africa at the Aviva Stadium.
Kidney, Smal and Ireland will hope that vibe translates to a positive victory in Limerick.
Ones to watch:
For Ireland XV: Luke Marshall and Paddy Jackson have been impressing for Ulster while Craig Gilroy knows his way to the line. But we are going for blindside Iain Henderson as our main man to watch. In the absence of Ulster favourite Stephen Ferris due to injury problems, flanker Henderson has filled in admirably at Ravenhill and will be looking to follow up his international debut off the bench last week with carries against the Fijians. Elsewhere and lock Dan Tuohy has been unlucky not to feature more for Ireland so this is a chance for him.
For Fiji: One of the islanders' strongest performers against England was Api Naikatini, who this Saturday moves from the back-row into lock. Naikatini possesses quality with ball in hand so Ireland must be wary of him. Another who stood tall at HQ was Nikola Matawalu.
Head-to-head: It will be youth versus experience in the front-row as one-cap David Kilcoyne meets Deacon Manu. Kilcoyne is set to have on-the-job training that will be priceless to his possible long-term future as a Test loosehead. Gert Smal reckons he has what it takes.
Recent results:
2009: Ireland won 41-6 at Royal Dublin Society
2002: Ireland won 64-17 at Lansdowne Road
Prediction: Plenty of home players looking to prove they have what it takes. Ireland by 14!
The teams:
Ireland XV: 15 Denis Hurley, 14 Fergus McFadden, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Luke Marshall, 11 Craig Gilroy, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip (capt), 7 John Muldoon, 6 Iain Henderson, 5 Dan Tuohy, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 David Kilcoyne.
Replacements: 16 Richardt Strauss, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Michael Bent, 19 Donnacha Ryan, 20 Chris Henry, 21 Paul Marshall, 22 Jonathan Sexton, 23 Simon Zebo.
Fiji: 15 Metuisela Talebula, 14 Simeli Koniferedi, 13 Vereniki Govena, 12 Josh Matavesi, 11 Watisoni Votu, 10 Jonetani Ralulu, 9 Nikola Matawalu, 8 Nemani Nagusa, 7 Malakai Ravulo, 6 Iliesa Ratuva, 5 Api Naikatini, 4 Leone Nakarawa, 3 Deacon Manu, 2 Viliame Veikoso, 1 Jerry Yanuyanutawa.
Replacements: 16 Tuapati Talemaitoga, 17 Manasa Saulo, 18 Setefano Somoca, 19 Apisalome Ratuniyarawa, 20 Jovili Domolailai, 21 Kelemedi Bola, 22 Saula Radidi, 23 Timoci Matanavou.
Date: Saturday, November 17
Kick-off: 17:30 GMT
Venue: Thomond Park, Limerick
Referee: Leighton Hodges (Wales)
Assistant referees: Neil Hennessy (Wales), Sean Brickell (Wales)
Television match official: Gareth Simmonds (Wales)
Comments
damo says...
ireland U20s beating SA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_s7L7KFO7p8
Hanrahan should be starting at 12 for Ireland, Hendersen not far off and Marmian also should be there supporting Marshall, Cave has been better than Darcy for years and Mcfadden is also far better than darcy, but so is every Irish back on form from the last 3 years
Posted 18:57 16th November 2012
mcdb06 says...
@melkdave
They need a balance of young players and experience, even if it isnt a full test match.
That said i dont know why they are playing Ross, give him a rest and give Bent a start and see what he's like. Hurley at fullback is pointless- besides being rubbish it was also another chance for Zebo to become more familiar with the full back role. Still looking forward to the match.
Posted 15:39 16th November 2012
ronanmeagher says...
@hayj05 - IRFU moved this fixture to Thomond park.
Naming rights deal with Aviva demands all Irish Test matches must be played at the Aviva Stadium (Landsdown road). This cannot be considered as a Test as it has been moved.
Posted 13:05 16th November 2012
melkdave says...
Well its nice to see some of the young talant given a run out,but having 5 of the 1st team,actually starting this match,and a further 7 on the bench Says to me kidney still doesnt want to blood or trust them.That most probily explains why its not a test Kidney scared of losing and dropping further in the rankings,which is a bit of an compliment to Fiji imo.Why those 5 players are starting to me makes no sense whats so ever.If you want to look at the amount of depth you have,Then surly it should be all young talant, and i think they'ed do best than the test team tbh.Anyway ive just given up hoping Ireland have a good aurtum series .In fact i might just hope for a Fiji victory ,anything that shortens Kidneys tenure as coach would help Ireland more than any victory imo.
Posted 12:55 16th November 2012
Carriag says...
Its not a test match as the IRFU have a contract with Aviva, that all international be played in lansdowne rd. Making it a non-cap is their way of moving the fixture to limerick.
Posted 12:26 16th November 2012
JDC1 says...
@ hayj05
The IRFU have an agreement with Aviva to play all home test matches at Lansdowne Road (Aviva Stadium). Therefore, the only way to play this match in Thomand Park was to downgrade it to a non-test match and rename the team as an ¿Ireland XV¿.
Posted 11:25 16th November 2012
hhlamazing says...
@hayj05 this has to do with IRFU contracts with Avivia. This game is being played in Thomond Park so to have a capped Irish side would break contractual agreements with Avivia that all Irish games must be played in Lansdowne Rd nothing else nothing more.
Posted 11:09 16th November 2012
GCP_jones says...
They played each other 3 years ago, it was a good game actually. the lack of an Irish 7's team is a real bone of contention here in Ireland, it really is another shining example of the slap dash appraoch of the IRFU's policies.
Posted 10:59 16th November 2012
hayj05 says...
Im curious as to why this is not considered a test match? Other nations field largely 2nd string lineups against teams they feel comfortable against & still award test match status.
Anyway... Thinking of the fixture, personally I have never witnessed Ireland playing Fiji before. Whether it be 15's, 7's (Ireland don't have a team on the circuit), or at age grade level & I watch a lot of it.
Posted 10:35 16th November 2012
rugby_rockstar says...
This game promises little. It's up to both sides to rise above the occasion and play rugby.
Posted 10:06 16th November 2012
GCP_jones says...
Thomond park only half full for this one, it says it all about the rugby publics attitude to where Kidney is taking Ireland. We all know that next week (again low ticket sales) he'll play the 15 from the South Africa game, and leave the likes of Paddy Jackson and Paul Marshall scratching their heads wondering when they will get their chance that they deserve.
At this stage its all a bit depressing really, I think I'll switch over at half time and watch strictly come dancing instead.
Posted 09:17 16th November 2012
Norm says...
On second glance I can see some sense in not having 9, 10, 11,12, 13 from Ulster, in truth what does that teach us, that an Ulster back unit can play together? Still feel that Marshall should get a serious run out here and not the usual 5 mins nonsense dished out at the end of the game.
Posted 08:59 16th November 2012