Tadhg Beirne focused on his job as family prepare for emotional day in Dublin

Tadhg Beirne insists Ireland will not rest on their laurels as he prepares to captain his country in Dublin for the first time in Saturday’s Nations Championship clash with Fiji.

Andy Farrell’s side launched their autumn campaign with last week’s convincing 42-12 bonus-point win over Argentina at the Aviva Stadium.

Stand-in skipper Dan Sheehan deputised for injured regular captain Caelan Doris against the Pumas but is unavailable this weekend due to concussion protocols.

Beirne will take over the captaincy having previously led Ireland to victory over Japan in Australia during the summer. The 34-year-old Munster captain, who will win his 75th cap, expects it to be an emotional occasion.

“It’s particularly special doing it at the Aviva, at home,” he told a press conference on Friday.

“I did have family over in Australia during the summer, but I’ll have my family here, extended family and especially with this group, getting to lead those boys out is very cool and very special.

“My wife and daughter will be there, mum and dad will definitely be there, my sister – everyone who’s in the country will be there, which is class.

“That’s the nice part, leading up to the game, but I have a job to do and the folks will go through that, for sure. I’m really looking forward to it, it’s a massive week for me and I am thoroughly enjoying it so far.”

Fiji have never beaten Ireland and suffered a 52-17 defeat on their last visit to Dublin in 2024.

Head coach Farrell has made seven personnel changes and two positional switches following the Argentina win as Ireland look to maintain momentum.

“The big focus for us is to continue building on our performance, particularly from last week,” said lock Beirne.

“We laid down a foundation of how we want to play, but we’re certainly not satisfied with that.”

Ireland have won three of their four matches in the Nations Championship and will face world champions South Africa in their third home fixture of the month before finals weekend at Twickenham.

Farrell, who has recalled Ronan Kelleher, James Ryan and Josh van der Flier to the forward pack and Jamison Gibson-Park, Bundee Aki, Jamie Osborne and Tommy O’Brien to his backline, said: “There’s always one eye on what’s coming.

“That’s my job, to have that in mind. But 100 per cent, the whole focus has just been about Fiji, and that’s what matters about us improving our performance this week.

“It’s full steam ahead as far as Fiji is concerned, because we know if you’re not at your best with a team like the quality of Fiji, they can beat you if you’re slightly off.”