Ireland make sweeping changes for final hit-out before Rugby World Cup
Ireland's Iain Henderson and Finlay Bealham.
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has made sweeping changes to his starting line-up for his side’s final Rugby World Cup warm-up match against Samoa.
The number one ranked side in the world will be skippered by lock Iain Henderson, who earns his 74th Ireland cap.
12 changes to the starting line-up
Farrell has made 12 changes to his starting XV from the team that defeated England 29-10 in Dublin last week as they front up against the Pacific Islanders in their first match in France.
Mack Hansen is the only backline player who remains in the starting team from the victory over England, with the right winger joined in the back three by full-back Jimmy O’Brien and Ireland’s newest centurion, Keith Earls.
Stuart McCloskey and Robbie Henshaw start in the centres, replacing Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose, the latter being named on the bench.
Munster’s Conor Murray and Jack Crowley are the starting half-backs, with fellow Munsterman Craig Casey named amongst the replacements, along with last week’s starting fly-half Ross Byrne.
Josh van der Flier is one of three forwards who start again this weekend but he features in a new loose trio along with blindside flanker Ryan Baird and number eight Caelan Doris. Peter O’Mahony drops to the bench as back-row cover.
Tadhg Beirne is the third and final player to be retained in the starting XV and packs down alongside captain Henderson. Last week’s skipper James Ryan will provide cover for the pair.
Veteran prop Cian Healy is named on the loosehead side of the front-row with Finlay Bealham at tighthead, whilst Tom Stewart earns his first Test start at hooker.
The bench is completed by Rob Herring, Jeremey Loughman and Tom O’Toole.
The clash against the Pacific Islanders provides the 23 players one final shot to make the World Cup squad, which is set to be named early next week.
Ireland’s team to face Samoa
Ireland: 15 Jimmy O’Brien, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Caelan Doris, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Ryan Baird, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 Iain Henderson (c), 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Tom Stewart, 1 Cian Healy
Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Jeremy Loughman, 18 Tom O’Toole, 19 James Ryan, 20 Peter O’Mahony, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Garry Ringrose
Date: Saturday, August 26
Venue: Parc des Sports Jean Dauger, Bayonne
Kick-off: 20:45 local (19:45 BST, 18:45 GMT)
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant Referees: Andrea Piardi (Italy), Adam Leal (England)
TMO: Ben Blain (Scotland)