Ireland name Caelan Doris as captain against Springboks as bold changes made for second Test

Ireland have named Caelan Doris as captain for their second Test against the Springboks at Kings Park this Saturday, as Peter O’Mahony moves to the bench.

O’Mahony is replaced on the blindside by Munster team-mate Tadhg Beirne, who moves up from the second-row as James Ryan comes into the starting line-up at lock.

Beirne and Doris are joined by Josh van der Flier in the back-row, with Ryan alongside Joe McCarthy in the engine room as Ireland look to make it a tied Test series.

Ronan Kelleher

The only change in the front-row is enforced due to a knee problem ruling out Dan Sheehan, as Ronan Kelleher gets the start as expected in the number two position.

In the backs a concussion for Craig Casey sees Conor Murray come in at scrum-half as the international stalwart links up with Jack Crowley as the starting half-backs.

After making his Test bow last weekend at Loftus, Jamie Osborne continues at full-back in an unchanged back three alongside wings James Lowe and Calvin Nash.

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There is, however, a change in the midfield where Bundee Aki misses out and is replaced by Garry Ringrose, who starts with Leinster team-mate Robbie Henshaw.

Farrell’s bench includes Rob Herring (hooker), Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham (both props), Ryan Baird (lock/flanker and O’Mahony (flanker) as forward replacements.

Caolin Blade (scrum-half), Ciaran Frawley (fly-half/centre/full-back) and Stuart McCloskey (centre) round out the Irish matchday 23 as the backline options available.

Ireland lost last week’s opening Test against the Springboks 27-20 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, ending a three-game winning streak against the world champions.

Ireland team

Ireland: 15 Jamie Osborne, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 James Lowe, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Caelan Doris (c), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Tadhg Beirne, 5 James Ryan, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Rónan Kelleher, 1 Andrew Porter
Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Ryan Baird, 20 Peter O’Mahony, 21 Caolin Blade, 22 Ciaran Frawley, 23 Stuart McCloskey

Date: Saturday, July 13
Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 17:00 (16:00 BST)
Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Angus Gardner (RA), Craig Evans (WRU)
TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)

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