Ireland team: Sam Prendergast back at fly-half as Paul O’Connell names two uncapped players in starting XV
Ireland fly-half Sam Prendergast and interim head coach Paul O'Connell (inset).
Ireland’s interim head coach Paul O’Connell has named his matchday squad for the opening clash of their two-Test series with Georgia in Tbilisi on Saturday.
While there are several experienced campaigners in O’Connell’s 23-man squad, he has also included two new caps in the starting side and a further four uncapped players amongst the replacements.
Leinster flyer Tommy O’Brien and Connacht second-rower Darragh Murray are the debutants in the run-on side while Munster pair Michael Milne (front-row) and Tom Ahern (utility forward) as well as Connacht duo Jack Aungier (front-row) and Ben Murphy (scrum-half) are set to make their Test bows off the bench.
The Test will be a momentous one for Munster scrum-half Craig Casey as he will captain Ireland for the first time and, in doing so, he will become his country’s 112th Test captain since 1875.
The 26-year-old will become only the third scrum-half to skipper Ireland in the professional era after Niall Hogan (three times) and Eoin Reddan (once).
Sam Prendergast replaces Jack Crowley at fly-half
Casey is joined in the half-backs by Sam Prendergast, who replaces Jack Crowley as the starting fly-half after the latter started in that position for Ireland in their last Six Nations clash against Italy, while Stuart McCloskey and Jamie Osborne will form the midfield combination.
Meanwhile, winger O’Brien will make his debut in a back three which includes his Leinster team-mate Jimmy O’Brien and Ulster’s experienced speedster Jacob Stockdale who is set to earn his 39th cap.
Stockdale needs to score a try to become the 21st Irish player to score 100 points or more at Test level and the first since Jack Crowley.
That achievement would also see Stockdale becoming his country’s sixth-leading try-scorer as he currently shares that position with Girvan Dempsey and Geordan Murphy.
In the forwards, the second debutant Murray will pack down in the second-row alongside Cormac Izuchukwu.
Meanwhile, Jack Boyle and Thomas Clarkson are the starting props and they are joined in the front-row by hooker Gus McCarthy with Ryan Baird, Nick Timoney lining up as the starting flankers and Gavin Coombes named at number eight to complete the starting pack.
The four further potential debutants amongst the replacements Milne, Ahern, Aungier and Murphy are joined on the bench by Tom Stewart, Cian Prendergast and Calvin Nash, who will offer cover at hooker, in the back-row and for the outside backs respectively.
O’Connell is looking forward to the clash against Georgia and expects his players to give a good account of themselves.
“I have been impressed by the application of the squad ahead of this two-Test tour and Saturday’s game presents an exciting opportunity for this group of players,” he said.
“To Craig (Casey), I would like to congratulate him on his first game as captain.
“Craig has taken to captaincy impressively. He’s going to relish leading his country and I know how keen he is to make his mark alongside the rest of the players.
“This weekend is also an extra special one for six players who are set to make their international debuts.
“To Tommy and Darragh, who get the chance to start, as well as the four others who will be ready to make their mark from the bench, I wish them well and the squad are determined to make it a memorable occasion for them and their families.
“Though light in terms of international caps in some areas, there’s also a nice blend of experience in the squad.”
Ireland team to face Georgia
Ireland: 15 Jimmy O’Brien, 14 Tommy O’Brien, 13 Jamie Osborne, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Craig Casey (c), 8 Gavin Coombes, 7 Nick Timoney, 6 Ryan Baird, 5 Darragh Murray, 4 Cormac Izuchukwu, 3 Thomas Clarkson, 2 Gus McCarthy, 1 Jack Boyle
Replacements: 16 Tom Stewart, 17 Michael Milne, 18 Jack Aungier, 19 Tom Ahern, 20 Cian Prendergast, 21 Ben Murphy, 22 Jack Crowley, 23 Calvin Nash
Date: Saturday, July 5
Venue: Mikheil Meskhi Stadium Stadium, Tbilisi
Kick-off: 21:00 local (18:00 BST, 17:00 GMT)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant Referees: Adam Leal (England), Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Italy)