Several changes as Andy Farrell names exciting Ireland team to face Fiji

Patrick McCarry

Tadhg Furlong will lead Ireland out for the first time in his illustrious Test career.

Andy Farrell has named his Ireland team to face Fiji at the Aviva Stadium, in the Bank of Ireland Nations Series, this Saturday from 1pm.

Furlong will lead an Ireland XV that has several changes, and more on the bench, from the team that defeated South Africa 19-16, last Saturday.

Craig Casey has made the replacements’ bench. (Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile)

Andy Farrell names Ireland team

Farrell has changed up much of his backline and pack for the game, with uncapped loose head Jeremy Loughman in the front row.

On the bench are fellow uncapped players Cian Prendergast and Jack Crowley.

IRELAND TEAM TO FACE FIJI

15. Jimmy O’Brien
14. Rob Baloucoune
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Stuart McCloskey
11. Mack Hansen
10. Joey Carbey
9. Jamison Gibson-Park

1. Jeremy Loughman
2. Rob Herring
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Kieran Treadwell
5. Tadhg Beirne
6. Caelan Doris
7. Nick Timoney
8. Jack Conan

Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Cian Healy, Tom O’Toole, Cian Prendergast, Max Deegan, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Gary Ringsose

On House of Rugby [LISTEN from 14:10 below], Greg O’Shea, Lindsay Peat and Louis Ludik looked back on the first big batch of November internationals, and ahead to the Bank of Ireland Nations Series clash with Fiji.

Stuart McCloskey during an Ireland rugby squad training at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland. (Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile)

“Against that All Blacks XV, I had been hoping to see more from the Ireland ‘A’ back row,” said Lindsay Peat.

“I know Gavin Coombes was just coming back from injury. He has started his season well with Munster, and his first couple of Ireland games were positive, but he was in the absolute wars, all night.

“I thought Cian Prendergast definitely put his hand up, for me. He showed great leadership, and Nick Timoney had a couple of good involvements. I’d like to see them both involved against Fiji. Gavin Thornbury had a good game, in the second row. Craig Casey had an awful night, unfortunately, as they really targeted him.”

“The likes of Casey, Jacob Stockdale and James Hume have that Test experience and would have been looking to put their hands up,” noted Louis Ludik, “so they would have been disappointed.”

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