The last of the shadow-boxing is here, and the gloves are off.
Ireland welcome Wales to the Aviva Stadium on Saturday for their final warm-up game before the Rugby World Cup in Japan. Schmidt made some difficult calls during the week to whittle his squad down to the 31 required. He’ll have one set of fingers crossed for a good performance on Saturday, and everything else for a clean bill of health before jetting off.
It’s been a mixed bag so far for Ireland, a routine and uninspiring defeat of Italy was followed up by a frankly embarassing 57-15 defeat to England in Twickenham, before some order was restored in an improved victory over Wales in Cardiff last weekend.
It’s a near full-strength side for Ireland, with big guns like Johnny Sexton, Robbie Henshaw and Conor Murray returning to the backs, while Schmidt has kept the faith in veteran hooker and captain Rory Best. Sean Cronin will replace the Ulsterman from the bench. No place on the bench for Joey Carbery, this week’s game coming too soon after an ankle injury picked up against the Azzurri back in August.
It’s a new-look back row, with Leinster’s Jack Conan and Josh van der Flier at 8 and 7 respectively, while CJ Stander will look to regain his best form at 6 ahead of Ireland’s Pool A opener against Scotland two weeks on Sunday.
Garry Ringrose fills the utility back spot on the bench, it will be interesting to see what positions the usual-centre will be asked to cover.
Ireland team to play Wales
Backs
15. Rob Kearney
14. Jordan Larmour
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Bundee Aki
11. Keith Earls
10. Johnny Sexton
9. Conor Murray
Forwards
1. Cian Healy
2. Rory Best (capt.)
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. James Ryan
5. Jean Kleyn
6. CJ Stander.
7. J van der Flier
8. Jack Conan
Subs
16. Sean Cronin
17. David Kilcoyne
18. Andrew Porter
19. Iain Henderson
20. Rhys Ruddock
21. Luke McGrath
22. Jack Carty
23. Garry Ringrose
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