A couple of selection calls that few saw coming.
Joe Schmidt has announced his team to face South Africa and it includes not only Bundee Aki and Jacob Stockdale [pictured below] but Andrew Conway and Cian Healy.
The team has one change from the expected XV we reported on Wednesday. Keith Earls had been flagged as an injury doubt and Schmidt’s team announcement confirmed he would play no part in this weekend’s action.
Heading into the week, most rugby reporters and fans were expecting both Jack McGrath and Earls to make the starting team but it is not to be.
McGrath is out of the matchday squad, as is Earls. Both men are said to have picked up knocks in training and join Tommy O’Donnell, Dan Leavy and Jack Conan in missing out thanks to a lack of full fitness.
Aki will make his Test debut in midfield beside Robbie Henshaw. Aki is now officially Irish-qualified after spending over three full years out West with Connacht. In a recent interview with SportsJOE, he told us:
“When I think of Ireland, I actually think of Galway. It’s so small, yet it’s so beautiful. You can hear how it is in the stadium. Galway is a special place for me.”
It will soon be time for the rest of the nation to see what Connacht fans so regularly see in Galway.
Munster’s Conway is joined in the back three by Stockdale and Rob Kearney. Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton are the half backs.
Healy packs down in the front row with captain Rory Best and Leinster teammate Cian Healy. There is an all Lions 2017 back row of Peter O’Mahony, Sean O’Brien and CJ Stander.
On the bench, there are nods for Rob Herring, Dave Kilcoyne, Joey Carbery and Darren Sweetnam.
IRELAND
Rob Kearney
Andrew Conway
Robbie Henshaw
Bundee Aki
Jacob StockdaleJohnny Sexton
Conor MurrayCian Healy
Rory Best (captain)
Tadhg FurlongIain Henderson
Devin TonerPeter O’Mahony
Sean O’Brien
CJ Stander
Replacements: Rob Herring, Dave Kilcoyne, John Ryan, James Ryan, Rhys Ruddock, Kieran Marmion, Joey Carbery, Darren Sweetnam.
