Ireland team: Andy Farrell backs two uncapped players against ‘talented’ Fijians as Sam Prendergast handed chance to shine

Adam Kyriacou 21 Nov 2024 2:36 PM

Sam Prendergast and Gus McCarthy start for Ireland against Fiji.

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has named two uncapped players in his starting line-up for their Autumn Nations Series clash with Fiji in Dublin on Saturday.

Leinster hooker and former Ireland U20 Grand Slam-winning captain Gus McCarthy is handed a debut, while Ulster’s Cormac Izuchukwu is selected to start at blindside flanker for his first cap.

After an impressive cameo off the bench in the win over Argentina last week, Jamie Osborne is named at full-back for his first start in green at the Aviva Stadium, joining Mack Hansen and Jacob Stockdale in the Ireland back three.

Sam Prendergast starts

Robbie Henshaw starts at outside centre and is joined in the midfield by Bundee Aki, while Sam Prendergast is set for his first Test start in a half-back pairing with Craig Casey.

In the pack, Andrew Porter and Finlay Bealham are either side of uncapped hooker McCarthy, who was initially named in the Autumn Nations Series squad as a training panellist but has impressed Farrell and the coaching staff during the warm-weather training camp in Portugal and over the last two match weeks in Dublin.

Joe McCarthy continues in the second-row and is joined by Tadhg Beirne, who moves forward from the back-row, allowing Izuchukwu to come in for his debut at six having been a member of the mid-year squad to South Africa and the recent Emerging Ireland tour.

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The 24-year-old has plenty of experience alongside him in the Ireland back-row as Josh van der Flier is named at openside and captain Caelan Doris at number eight to complete the starting XV.

On the bench, Rónan Kelleher, Tom O’Toole, Thomas Clarkson, Iain Henderson and Cian Prendergast provide the forward options for Farrell, while Conor Murray, Ciaran Frawley and Stuart McCloskey are the backline replacements.

“There were signs of improvement last weekend and this week has been about building and embracing the challenge of a talented Flying Fijian side who will be coming over to Dublin full of confidence after their recent displays,” said Farrell.

“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 team to face Fiji

Ireland: 15 Jamie Osborne, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Craig Casey, 8 Caelan Doris (c), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Cormac Izuchukwu, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Gus McCarthy, 1 Andrew Porter
Replacements: 16 Rónan Kelleher, 17 Tom O’Toole, 18 Thomas Clarkson, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Cian Prendergast, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Ciaran Frawley, 23 Stuart McCloskey

Date: Saturday, November 23
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off: 15:10 GMT
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley (RFU), Sam Grove-White (SRU)
TMO: Mike Adamson (SRU)