Joe Schmidt is ready for an All Blacks onslaught in Dublin this weekend but has brought in some reinforcements.
With Jordi Murphy a long-term injury and Ultan Dillane nursing a strain [he missed two sessions this week], Schmidt drafted in Sean O’Brien and, on the bench, Iain Henderson.
Paddy Jackson bumps 21-year-old Leinster outhalf Joey Carbery from the bench and deputises for Johnny Sexton. Elsewhere there are 20 players that featured in the Ireland squad that did for the All Blacks in Chicago.
“There’s a few guys that haven’t been able to train fully this week,” said Schmidt. “Ultan Dillane has a bit of a sore knee. It is nothing serious and he should be ready to go next week.”
Peter O’Mahony had to pull out of a session earlier in the week. Although he trained today, Schmidt needed him to show he was as close to 100% as possible. Keith Earls had a dead leg this week but he, too, should be okay to for the Australians on November 26.
The big call in the starting XV was O’Brien getting in ahead of Leinster teammate Josh van der Flier. Schmidt commented:
“We probably thought it was better that Sean started than come off the bench. He needs a bit of time to warm-up and feel his way into the game… Josh did well off the bench in Chicago.”
Schmidt also laughed off Kiwi suggestions that his team were favourites for the upcoming game. He must have checked the odds because he was aware that his side were 6/1 this time, as opposed to 13/1 last time out.
Earlier today, Steve Hansen named his All Blacks match-day squad and it was a fearsome selection.
Ireland take on the All Blacks from 5:30pm at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
Aaron Kernan joins Colm Parkinson on The GAA Hour to explain the work he’s doing for the Club Players Association. Derry captain Chrissy McKaigue talks Slaughtneil and a Dublin club advertising for hurlers gets a sore touch. Subscribe here on iTunes.
