Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has announced his team for their upcoming Rugby World Cup quarterfinal meeting with New Zealand at the Stade de France on Saturday.
Fearing the worst that Ireland could have been missing up to five key players, James Lowe, Mack Hansen, Keith Earls, Robbie Henshaw and James Ryan, through injury. Today’s announcement that both Hansen and Lowe will start comes as a significant boost for the Irish team.
Two Big Selections
On the injury front, Ryan’s absence sees 22-year-old lock Joe McCarthy come onto the bench. The backline cover will be supplied by Jimmy O’Brien, who will make his first appearance of the tournament should he be called upon.
Elsewhere it is as you were with Farrell sticking to the team that comprehensively defeated Scotland in last Saturday’s Pool B match.
The Full Team
Starting with the forwards, Ireland’s front row will once again consist of Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong, who were all taken off early, having started so strongly against Scotland.
In the engine room, Tadhg Beirne and Iain Henderson continue their impressive partnership whilst the backrow once again sees Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier, and Caelen Doris start.
As scrumhalf, the impressive Jamison Gibson-Park holds off the surging Conor Murray to start, whilst captain Johnny Sexton will pull the strings at flyhalf once again.
Bundee Aki will once again start at inside centre as he looks to continue his red-hot form alongside Garry Ringrose, who too has been in scintilating form.
Completing the starting line-up, Hansen and Lowe start on the wings, with Hugo Keenan at fullback.
On the bench, Ronan Kelleher, Dave Kilcoyne and Finlay Bealham provide the front row cover, with McCarthy and the now fully fit Jack Conan covering the second and backrows, respectively.
Joining O’Brien in the backline cover are Murray and his Munster teammate Jack Crowley.
Our team to face the All Blacks in Paris! 💪#TeamOfUs
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) October 11, 2023
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