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Rugby

13th Aug 2015

Ireland make a whopping 14 changes for Scotland clash

Warming up nicely

Patrick McCarry

The return of many, many familiar faces. The appearance of some fresh ones.

Joe Schmidt has made a raft of changes for Ireland’s second World Cup warm-up game, against Scotland.

Sean O’Brien will captain a side that is hugely changed from the XV that started in the 35-21 win over Wales in Cardiff last week.

Simon Zebo starts at fullback – further strengthening his World Cup claims – with Tommy Bowe and Luke Fitzgerald on the wings. Gordon D’Arcy gets his chance at inside centre; Jared Payne is his partner.

Ian Madigan will wear the No.10 jersey and Isaac Boss is starting scrum-half.

There is a debutant in the Irish pack.

Jack Conan 13/8/2015

Jack Conan starts at No.6, with captain Sean O’Brien and Chris Henry for company in the back row.

Dan Tuohy and Devin Toner are in the second row while Mike Ross – the only player who started in Cardiff – joined up front by Sean Cronin and Dave Kilcoyne.

Schmidt’s men will face off against Vern Cotter’s side at the Aviva Stadium from 5pm on Saturday, August 15.

The Scots named their match-day squad earlier in the day.

There is a strong Glasgow Warriors influence in the starting fifteen while New Zealander Hugh Blake is the sole debutant.

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