Uncapped duo Gus McCarthy and Cormac Izuchukwu have been named in Ireland’s starting XV for their Autumn Nations Series clash against Fiji in Dublin.
Leinster hooker McCarthy, 21, and Ulster back-row Izuchukwu, 24, were selected among the seven changes to the team that started last Saturday’s 22-19 win over Argentina.
Fly-half Sam Prendergast has been handed his first international start after winning his first cap as a second-half substitute against Los Pumas. Full-back Jamie Osborne, center Bundee Aki, wing Jacob Stockdale and scrum-half Craig Casey have been recalled by head coach Andy Farrell.
Sam Prendergast featured in the second innings against Argentina in the last Test
Debutant McCarthy last year captained Ireland U-20s to Grand Slam Six Nations glory and the World Rugby U20 Championship final in South Africa, while Izuchukwu – who was born in London but grew up in Offaly – was a non-playing member of Ireland’s summer squad. draw against the Springboks.
Included in the blindside flanker, along with captain Caelan Doris and Josh van der Flier, sees Tadhg Beirne move to the second row to partner Joe McCarthy, while Gus McCarthy will pack down between Andrew Porter and Finlay Bealham.
At the back, Robbie Henshaw moved to outside center to accommodate the returning Aki, while Mack Hansen has been retained on the right wing, with regular starters James Ryan, Jamison Gibson-Park, Jack Crowley, Garry Ringrose, James Lowe, Hugo Keenan and former captain Peter O ‘Mahony is all given the weekend off.
Veteran prop Cian Healy has also been left out of the matchday squad, meaning he will have to wait to step up ahead of Brian O’Driscoll as Ireland’s most capped player after his 133rd Test appearance last week.
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Sky Sports News’ James Cole and Megan Wellens discuss Ireland’s dominant Six Nations defense earlier this year
Hooker Ronan Kelleher dropped to the bench to provide back-up for newcomer Gus McCarthy. He joins substitutes Tom O’Toole, Thomas Clarkson, Iain Henderson, Cian Prendergast, Conor Murray, Ciaran Frawley and Stuart McCloskey.
Ireland boss Farrell, whose team started the season with a 23-13 loss to New Zealand, said there were “signs of improvement last weekend, and this week is about building and meeting the challenge of a Fijian team that is flying with talent coming through Dublin full of confidence.” after that new look.
“On Saturday we welcomed two new debutants and I am delighted with Cormac and Gus who have been impressed with their level of work and application over the last few weeks and months.
Andy Farrell’s Ireland play Fiji before taking on Australia in the Autumn Nations Series on November 30
“They both have performed very well for their province, bringing their good form to the new Emerging Ireland tour and now they are being rewarded for their efforts. We want them to take the next exciting step in their career.”
The Irish team will face Fiji
Starting XV: J Osborne (Leinster), M Hansen (Connacht), R Henshaw (Leinster), B Aki (Connacht), J Stockdale (Ulster); S Prendergast (Leinster), C Casey, (Munster); A Porter (Leinster), G McCarthy (Leinster), F Bealham (Connacht), J McCarthy (Leinster), T Beirne (Munster), C Izuchukwu (Ulster), J van der Flier (Leinster), C Doris (Leinster, captain ). ).
Replacement: R Kelleher (Leinster), T O’Toole (Ulster), T Clarkson (Leinster), I Henderson (Ulster), C Prendergast (Connacht), C Murray (Munster), C Frawley (Leinster), S McCloskey (Ulster).
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