Tadhg Beirne will captain Ireland against Fiji on Saturday at the Aviva Stadium, where head coach Andy Farrell has made seven changes to his starting XV following a 52-14 victory over Argentina, The Irish Times reported.
The fixture kicks off at 8.10pm and forms part of the Nations Championship. Farrell has retained a core group of senior players while managing injuries and rotating personnel ahead of a subsequent Test against world champions South Africa. This rotation includes resting Joe McCarthy and Hugo Keenan, the latter of whom is looking toward his 50th cap next week.
Tadhg Beirne captains Ireland, while Nick Timoney starts at 8 v Fijihttps://t.co/ILwHUEdoj5
Two alterations are enforced due to injuries sustained by hooker Dan Sheehan, who is undergoing return to play protocols following a concussion, and No 8 Sean Jansen, who is sidelined with a knee injury.
In response, Rónan Kelleher returns at hooker while Nick Timoney shifts across the back row from openside flanker to number eight, according to Sky Sports. Timoney, 31, has played significant time at number eight for Ulster earlier in his career, despite never starting in the position for Ireland.
Selection adjustments against Fiji
Farrell’s changes span the tight five, half-backs, and back three. James Ryan joins Beirne in the second row, replacing Joe McCarthy, while Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong continue at prop, as RTE.ie noted.
In the back row, Josh van der Flier starts at openside flanker alongside blindside Ryan Baird and Timoney. Van der Flier is fit to play despite an ankle complaint.
Jamison Gibson-Park returns at scrum-half to partner Sam Prendergast, who retains the 10 shirt after scoring his first Test try against Argentina. Gibson-Park returns to the starting XV after playing the final 26 minutes against the Pumas, while Craig Casey drops to the bench.
A new midfield pairing features Bundee Aki returning from illness alongside Jamie Osborne. In the back three, Mack Hansen moves to full-back to cover the rested Hugo Keenan, with Tommy O’Brien on the left wing and Robert Baloucoune retaining his spot on the right. Baloucoune is starting again despite a minor injury, while Hansen also overcomes an ankle knock.
Congrats to our six Ulster players named in the @IrishRugby squad to face Fiji this Saturday night at Aviva Stadium 👏☘️ James McNabney is set to make his international debut 🙌 Full team news ➡️ https://t.co/rdBcj8OMKK pic.twitter.com/qPWuscRgie
James McNabney stands in line for Test debut
The replacements bench includes forward options Tom Stewart, Tom O’Toole, Sam Illo, and Darragh Murray. Uncapped Ulster back-row James McNabney is named among the substitutes and is in line for his Test debut, according to Munster Rugby. The 23-year-old was preferred over Cian Prendergast for the bench spot. His provincial teammates Stewart and O’Toole will join Connacht players Illo and Murray to provide forward reinforcements.
Craig Casey, Ciarán Frawley, and Stuart McCloskey complete the matchday squad as backline replacements. Robbie Henshaw has dropped out of the matchday squad entirely. Fiji travels to Dublin following a 54-17 defeat to France.
Match details
- Fixture: Ireland vs Fiji
- Competition: Nations Championship
- Date: Saturday, November 14
- Kick-off Time: 8.10pm
- Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
- Broadcast: Live on Virgin Media One and ITV
Who is captaining Ireland and who might debut?
Who is captaining Ireland against Fiji?
Munster’s Tadhg Beirne captains the team for just the second time in his career, having previously skippered the side against Japan during the summer.
Which players are in line for a Test debut?
Ulster back-row James McNabney is named on the replacements bench and stands to make his first appearance in green.
Leading in green ☘️ Munster captain Tadhg Beirne will lead @IrishRugby on Saturday night with Craig Casey among the replacements.#SUAF ☘️ pic.twitter.com/jvQETRpi3t
Who will Ireland play after the Fiji match?
Ireland faces back-to-back World Cup champions South Africa at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, November 21, with a 4.40pm kick-off.
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