Ireland’s fascination with the number 10 jersey will not be fading any time soon, with Leinster’s Sam Prendergast making his first start in green against Fiji, while two others will make their debuts.
Caelan Doris once captains the side at the Aviva Stadium this Saturday (kick-off 3.10pm).
There are seven changes to the starting XV from that victory.
Head coach Andy Farrell, who has been much maligned for a lack of diversity and new caps in his team selections, has picked Leinster’s Gus McCarthy at hooker and Ulster’s Cormac Izuchukwu at blindside flanker, while Tom Clarkson will look to make his second appearance off the bench.
Jamie Osborne makes his first home start for his country. Primarily a centre, the Naas man starts at fullback after making an impressive start to his senior international career at 15 during the summer tour of South Africa.
Ulster’s Jacob Stockdale comes back into side as he looks to reignite his international career, while Bundee Aki comes back into the side after missing out on last week’s 23.
One of the URC’s standout players this season, Craig Casey, starts at scrum-half, while his Munster teammate Conor Murray is among the substitutes.
On the bench, Connacht captain Cian Prendergast comes in as back row cover, while Tom O’Toole (normally at tight head) is loose head cover after being unavailable for the clash with Los Pumas after picking up a concussion against the All Blacks.
The 23-man squad breaks down as follows; 11 Leinster, 5 Ulster, 3 Munster, 4 Connacht.
Ireland 23 to face Fiji:
- Andrew Porter
- Gus McCarthy
- Finlay Bealham
- Joe McCarthy
- Tadhg Beirne
- Cormac Izuchukwu
- Josh van der Flier
- Caelan Doris (captain)
- Craig Casey
- Sam Prendergast
- Jacob Stockdale
- Bundee Aki
- Robbie Henshaw
- Mack Hansen
- Jamie Osborne
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Tom O’Toole, Tom Clarkson, Iain Henderson, Cian Prendergast, Conor Murray, Ciarán Frawley, Stuart McCloskey.
