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Six changes for Ireland as Andy Farrell names team to host Italy
Andy Farrell has decided to rejig his Ireland team for Sunday’s Guinness Six Nations match with Italy in Dublin, making six changes from the XV that comfortably picked off France in round one.
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The Irish were 38-17 winners in Marseille last Friday and the reaction has been to go with two backline alterations and four in their pack.
In the backs, the recalled Stuart McCloskey will form the midfield with Robbie Henshaw as Bundee Aki is rested while Craig Casey will start at scrum-half. Jamison Gibson-Park slips to the bench, with Conor Murray missing out.
Up front, Finlay Bealham is promoted from the replacements in place of the rested Tadhg Furlong, with Tom O’Toole named as the sub tighthead.
James Ryan, Ryan Baird and Jack Conan are other Marseille subs upgraded to the starting side, with Tadhg Beirne and Peter O’Mahony rested and Josh van der Flier providing cover along with Iain Henderson from a bench that on this occasion will have a five/three forwards/backs split.
In France, that balance was six/two but three backs have been named in this weekend’s replacements, Jordan Larmour joining Gibson-Park and Harry Byrne, who takes over the spot filled last time by Ciaran Frawley.
Last week’s No8 Caelan Doris will start at openside to accommodate Conan at No8 and Baird at blindside in the reshuffled back row. He will also be a first-time skipper, taking over the responsibility from the absent O’Mahony.
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Ireland (vs Italy, Sunday)
15. Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster) (37)
14. Calvin Nash (Young Munster/Munster) (2)
13. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster) (68)
12. Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/Ulster) (15)
11. James Lowe (Leinster) (27)
10. Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster) (10)
9. Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster) (13)
1. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster) (60)
2. Dan Sheehan (Lansdowne/Leinster) (22)
3. Finlay Bealham (Buccaneers/Connacht) (37)
4. Joe McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster) (6)
5. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster) (60)
6. Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster) (16)
7. Caelan Doris (St Mary’s College/Leinster) (37) (captain)
8. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster) (42)
Replacements:
16. Ronan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster) (27)
17. Jeremy Loughman (Garryowen/Munster) (4)
18. Tom O’Toole (Ballynahinch/Ulster) (12)
19. Iain Henderson (Academy/Ulster) (79)
20. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster) (58)
21. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster) (31)
22. Harry Byrne (UCD/Leinster) (2)
23. Jordan Larmour (St Mary’s College/Leinster) (30)
Comments on RugbyPass
Brumbies fully deserved their win on the back of their physicality and desire to control the ball. Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua and Tyrel Lomax should be the ABs starting front row when we start our test schedule. They have “come of age” and have bested all they have faced as well as been dominant with ball in hand in making the gainline. With De Groot, Tamaiti Williams and Fletcher Newell backed up by Taukei'aho and Cody Taylor there's not an international front row that can trouble us. Can't wait to face the Boks over there, won't be no one point game this time.
5 Go to commentsKinda strange that he wasn’t with a premiership team or a higher level of rugby? Start playing late or something? With that kind of size and athleticism you’d think someone would have picked him up?
2 Go to commentsShows how much attitude matters. Last week the Brumbies got done, this week they dominated the tournament leaders, who were likely thinking they could cruise to victory.
5 Go to commentsA Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
5 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
5 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
2 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
2 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to comments