The team news is in.
The Republic of Ireland team to play Wales has been named. Martin O’Neill’s side are in Cardiff for their first match of the new Uefa Nations League tournament, a game that will see Ryan Giggs take charge of Wales for the first time.
Ireland’s build-up has been dominated by injuries and squad omissions. First-team regulars, such as Shane Long, James McClean and Robbie Brady, all miss out through injury, as does Alan Browne, who was in line for his first competitive start for Ireland.
Ready 🇮🇪 #COYBIG #WALIRL pic.twitter.com/KQX416nGNv
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) September 6, 2018
Harry Arter wasn’t included in the squad and has paused his international career for the immediate future, amid reports of a row with Roy Keane in the last Ireland camp back in June. Declan Rice, another player who would have been in contention to start in Cardiff, was omitted from the squad as he deliberates over his international future following interest from England, the country of his birth.
O’Neill has a somewhat depleted squad to select from for the opening match of the new tournament. Wales, meanwhile, have pretty much a full-strength team. Their last competitive fixture was a 1-0 loss to Ireland in Cardiff last October. Gareth Bale wasn’t available that night, but returns tonight.
Callum Robinson, the Preston North End striker, makes his debut for Ireland. Here’s the team to play Wales:
Darren Randolph
Seamus Coleman (C)
Cyrus Christie
Shane Duffy
Ciaran Clark
Callum O’Dowda
Jeff Hendrick
Callum Robinson
Stephen Ward
Jon Walters
Conor Hourihane
BREAKING: Martin O'Neill has named his team to face Wales with Callum Robinson set to make his international debut! #COYBIG #WALIRL pic.twitter.com/KSiycMb4Y3
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) September 6, 2018
This is your 🏴 XI… #WALIRL #TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/peLO6fQykQ
— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) September 6, 2018
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