Ireland make 11 changes for team to face Russia

Patrick McCarry

Just four players that started against Japan have retained jerseys for Thursday’s game.

Joe Schmidt has named his Ireland team to face Russia in their World Cup Pool A encounter and change is most definitely afoot.

Niall Scannell, John Ryan, Jean Kleyn and newly arrived injury replacement Jordi Murphy will all make their tournament debuts. The most interesting selections, though, are the players that Schmidt has opted to start again, just five days after the shock loss to Japan.

Garry Ringrose and Peter O’Mahony, who switches to openside, are both starting what would be their third Test match in 12 days. Ringrose will partner Bundee Aki (below) in midfield as Robbie Henshaw – recovering from a hamstring tweak – sits another game out.

Rob Kearney starts fullback again despite failing a Head Injury Assessment in Saturday’s game against Japan. Kearney failed the initial Head Injury Assessment during the second half but has since passed HIAs 2 and 3.

Keith Earls switches from the right to left wing and Luke McGrath comes in at scrumhalf. Johnny Sexton returns to the 10 jersey and is Ireland’s captain for the game. There is an all Munster tight five while O’Mahony is joined by Rhys Ruddock and Murphy in the back row.

There is no specialist scrumhalf on the bench but Joey Carbery looks the likely cover. The Munster star did play scrumhalf at underage level but it is a punt from Schmidt, who opted to leave the likes of John Cooney and Kieran Marmion at home.