Joe Schmidt has selected the Ireland side he hopes will defeat New Zealand for the first time in their history.
There is one difference to the team we predicted last night, with Donnacha Ryan edging out Ultan Dillane to start in the second row.
Joey Carbery and Garry Ringrose of Leinster are set for Ireland debuts off the bench. Both players have enjoyed a storming start to the season but should face their toughest test at Soldier Field this weekend.
Ireland’s current Test record stands at 27 All Blacks victories and a solitary draw. Ireland have come close in 2012 and 2013 but there has been plenty of heavy beatings in the nations’ international history.
Schmidt has selected a safe-bet backline with plenty of experienced faces. Jared Payne has reverted to outside centre while Rob Kearney takes the No.15 jersey and fullback duties. Robbie Henshaw is named inside centre with Andrew Trimble and Simon Zebo on the wings.
Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton are the half backs.
Up front, Jack McGrath and captain Rory Best are joined by Leinster tighthead Tadhg Furlong.
Ryan gets Ultan Dillane gets the start after some great recent form for Munster and is partnered in the second row by Devin Toner. CJ Stander is at blindside with Leinster duo of Jordi Murphy and No.8 Jamie Heaslip completing the back row.
Cian Healy an
IRELAND
15. R Kearney
14. Trimble
13. Payne
12. Henshaw
11. Zebo
10. Sexton
9 Murray
1. McGrath
2. Best (c)
3. Furlong
4. Toner
5. Ryan
6. Stander
7. Murphy
8. Heaslip
Replacements: S Cronin, Healy, Bealham, Dillane, van der Flier, Marmion, Carbery, Ringrose
Ireland take on New Zealand from 3pm [8pm Irish time] at Soldier Field on Saturday.
Colm O’Rourke and Pauric Mahony join Colm Parkinson on a packed GAA Hour that includes Dick Clerkin appreciation and Sean Cavanagh envy. Subscribe here on iTunes.
