Andy Farrell names Ireland team to face South Africa

Ireland face South Africa in the first test on Saturday

Ireland will play two test matches with the first taking place this weekend on July 6 in Pretoria.

Farrell was dealt a blow before even having chance to name his squad as a number of players were ruled out.

Hugo Keenan wasn't selected as he prepares for the Olympics while Jamison Gibson-Park, Iain Henderson and Mack Hansen are injured.

Jack Conan is also unavailable for personal reasons but Sam Prendergast, Jamie Osborne and Cormac Izuchukwu were all uncapped names included in the squad.

One of the biggest calls before the tournament was the decision not to include Gavin Coombes, despite his incredible form for Munster.

Farrell names starting 15

Andy Farrell has today picked his starting 15 who will go into battle vs South Africa on Saturday:

15. Jamie Osborne (Naas/Leinster)*

14. Calvin Nash (Young Munster/Munster)(6)

13. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster)(72)

12. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht)(56)

11. James Lowe (Leinster)(31)

10. Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster)(14)

9. Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster)(14)

1. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster)(64)

2. Dan Sheehan (Lansdowne/Leinster)(26)

3. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster)(76)

4. Joe McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster)(10)

5. Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster)(50)

6. Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster)(captain)(105)

7. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster)(62)

8. Caelan Doris (St Mary’s College/Leinster)(41)

Subs:

16. Ronan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster)(31)

17. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)(129)

18. Finlay Bealham (Buccaneers/Connacht)(40)

19. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster)(62)

20. Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster)(20)

21. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)(116)

22. Ciaran Frawley (UCD/Leinster)(4)

23. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster)(58).

One thing is for sure, we have a huge test series on our hands that will see two of the best teams on the planet go head to head.