Ireland team v Fiji: Andy Farrell names two uncapped players in starting XV
Gus McCarthy and Cormac Izuchukwu start, with Sam Prendergast at out-half, Jamie Osbourne at full-back and Jacob Stockdale on the wing
Andy Farrell has included two uncapped players, Gus McCarthy and Cormac Izuchukwu, in his starting team for the visit of Fiji to Dublin (Sat, 3pm).
Former Ireland U20 Grand Slam winning captain McCarthy earns a debut in the front row, while Ulster back row Izuchukwu is selected to start at blindside flanker for his first cap.
Jamie Osborne is named at full-back for his first at home at Aviva Stadium, Jacob Stockdale is a notable inclusion on the left-wing while Sam Prendergast, who came on at no10 against both New Zealand and Argentina, makes his first senior start for his country.
Placing Osborne at no15 leaves Robbie Henshaw and Bundee Aki together in the centre, a partnership that clearly picked to aid out-half Prendergast who has been paired at half-back with Craig Casey.
McCarthy, who was initially named in the Autumn Nations Series squad as a training panellist, makes a startling jump to the first team.
Having broken through at Leinster he has impressed Farrell and the Coaching Team during the warm-weather training camp in Portugal and over the last two match weeks in Dublin.
Joe McCarthy continues in the second row and is joined by Tadhg Beirne, who moves forward from the back row, allowing the 24 year-old Izuchukwu to come in for his debut at no6 having been a member of the Summer Tour squad to South Africa and the recent Emerging Ireland Tour.
"There were signs of improvement last weekend and this week has been about building and embracing the challenge of a talented Flying Fijian side who will be coming over to Dublin full of confidence after their recent displays," said Head Coach Andy Farrell.
"On Saturday we welcome two more new debutants and I’m delighted for Cormac and Gus who have impressed with their work-rate and application over recent weeks and months.
"They have both performed strongly for their Provinces, brought that good form into the recent Emerging Ireland Tour and are now being rewarded for their efforts. We wish them well as they take this exciting next steps in their careers."
The bench comprises four forwards Rónan Kelleher, Tom O'Toole, Thomas Clarkson, Iain Henderson and Cian Prendergast. Conor Murray, Ciaran Frawley and Stuart McCloskey provide the backline cover.
Ireland (v Fiji):
15. Jamie Osborne (Naas/Leinster)(4)
14. Mack Hansen (Corinthians/Connacht)(23)
13. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster)(75)
12. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht)(58)
11. Jacob Stockdale (Lurgan/Ulster)(37)
10. Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster)(1)
9. Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster)(16)
1. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster)(68)
2. Gus McCarthy (UCD/Leinster)*
3. Finlay Bealham (Corinthians/Connacht)(44)
4. Joe McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster)(14)
5. Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster)(54)
6. Cormac Izuchukwu (Ballynahinch/Ulster)*
7. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster)(66)
8. Caelan Doris (St Mary’s College/Leinster)(45)(captain)
Replacements:
16. Rónan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster)(35)
17. Tom O’Toole (Ballynahinch/Ulster)(14)
18. Thomas Clarkson (Blackrock College/Leinster)(1)
19. Iain Henderson (Academy/Ulster)(82)
20. Cian Prendergast (UCD/Connacht)(3)
21. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)(119)
22. Ciaran Frawley (UCD/Leinster)(7)
23. Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/Ulster)(18)
Saturday's match is live on Virgin Media One (Republic of Ireland) and TNT Sports (UK), while there is live radio commentary available on RTÉ Radio 1.
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