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Sheehan on bench as Ireland name team for Springboks
Head Coach Andy Farrell has named his Ireland Match Day Squad for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup showdown against South Africa at the Stade de France.
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Following successful victories over Romania and Tonga in their opening matches, Ireland now gear up for a challenging clash in Pool B with the reigning champions, under the lights in Paris.
Bundee Aki is set to win his 50th Test cap for Ireland as he partners Garry Ringrose in midfield for the third consecutive match. Aki made his Ireland debut against South Africa in November 2017.
In the back three Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen and James Lowe continue, with captain Jonathan Sexton and Jamison Gibson-Park named at out-half and scrum-half respectively.
The pack is unchanged from last weekend, with Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher and Tadhg Furlong in the front row and Tadhg Beirne and James Ryan in the second row. Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris are the loose forward combination.
Fit again Dan Sheehan returns on the bench alongside forwards David Kilcoyne, Finlay Bealham, Iain Henderson and Ryan Baird, while Conor Murray, Jack Crowley and Robbie Henshaw are cover for the backs.
IRELAND TEAM TO FACE SOUTH AFRICA ON SATURDAY, 23 SEPTEMBER
15. Hugo Keenan
14. Mack Hansen
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Bundee Aki
11. James Lowe
10. Johnny Sexton
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
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1. Andrew Porter
2. Ronan Kelleher
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Tadhg Beirne
5. James Ryan
6. Peter O’Mahony
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Caelan Doris
Replacements:
16. Dan Sheehan
17. David Kilcoyne
18. Finlay Bealham
19. Iain Henderson
20. Ryan Baird
21. Conor Murray
22. Jack Crowley
23. Robbie Henshaw
A 7-1 split for South Africa for what will be the biggest game of Pool B#RWC2023 #RSAvIRE #rugby pic.twitter.com/3cHWQ82H8A
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 21, 2023
Now that both squads have been announced, herewith a summary of the weights of each team (Springboks/Ireland in Kg). All weights derived from the official Rugby World Cup website apart from Sexton for whom they provided no info and whose weight comes from Wikipedia.
Pack 112/112
Backline 86/92
Bench 105/104
Pack and bench weights practically identical, Irish backline much heavier. Irish team also 4cm taller on average - 185 vs 189 cm.
If we are to believe the official data, Ireland have the physically bigger team.
Juicy. Luck to the Irish. As if they need it.