One of the impressive aspects of Ireland’s second Test win in Durban last July is that the 25-24 victory was achieved without several frontliners who Andy Farrell has reinstated for Friday’s meeting with New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium (kick-off 8.10pm).
Hugo Keenan, who was on a Sevens sabbatical for the Olympics, along with Mack Hansen and Jamison Gibson-Park, who were both injured, all missed out on Ireland’s summer tour but all are restored to the starting XV in place of Jamie Osborne, Calvin Nash and Conor Murray for this Autumn Nations Series opener.
As expected, Farrell has also opted to reunite Bundee Aki with Garry Ringrose in midfield ahead of Robbie Henshaw on foot of the Connacht man having had more game time this season than the latter.
A fifth change to the starting XV has been forced upon Farrell due to Tadhg Furlong being ruled out, with Finlay Bealham promoted to the starting frontrow alongside Rónan Kelleher. He has been passed fit after recovering from a procedure on his ankle arising from the injury he sustained in Leinster’s URC round three win over Benetton in Treviso four weeks ago.
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That constitutes the only 12 minutes which Kelleher has played thus far in this campaign, and he will again be backed up by Rob Herring, who has yet to play a competitive minute for Ulster this season due to a calf issue.
The latter’s frontrow team-mate Tom O’Toole is named on the bench on foot of Bealham’s promotion, while the Ulster captain Iain Henderson is also promoted to the replacements instead of Ryan Baird. Murray and Osborne complete the bench, and the latter’s versatility suggests he will be covering midfield and the back three, with Ciarán Frawley thus more of an out-and-out back-up to Crowley.
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It transpires that Furlong came into camp with a slight hamstring strain.
“We thought it would be something that would progress,” said Farrell. “He was rehabbing like a few of the other lads but unfortunately it’s just come [too soon] and then rather than push too hard and he’ll be out for the series. We’ll take our time and hopefully he’ll be back sooner rather than later.”
Although Ireland enjoyed a three-match series win in New Zealand two years ago which, of course, was avenged on World Cup quarter-final weekend, this is the All Blacks’ first visit to Dublin in three years and the Irish head coach admitted that Friday’s match-up brings with it a unique sense of anticipation.
“I think it’s a subconscious thing, really, just because of the nature of the battles that we’ve had and the drama that has unfolded within those games. We all get excited, we’re all rugby fans as well.
“So, Friday night game, first game of the international season at the Aviva, if you can’t get excited about that, well you’re in the wrong place.
“What I would say, as we all know, is that you get a limited amount of time to prepare before the start of any campaign internationally, so the focus has certainly been on getting up to speed and seeing if we can improve our own game, first of all.”
However, Ireland’s unprecedented record of 19 consecutive home wins is less of a factor.
“We don’t speak about it a lot, we obviously believe it’s important to perform here at home. Everyone wants their home to be a bit of a fortress. What’s the meaning of that/ It’s to do people proud who come to watch and they want to feel proud that Ireland are hard to beat at home. That’s the thing that’s on our mind all the time rather than looking at records. No, I don’t see that coming into the reckoning for us.”
This game also effectively marks the beginning of the Caelan Doris era as captain after one-off stints for the wins over Italy last February and South Africa last time out. It would be surprising if the new skipper didn’t use Johnny Sexton as a sounding board as well as the outhalves since the great man was brought on board as a consultant/mentor.
“Johnny comes in if and when suits, in or around his busy schedule at work, and his presence around the group whenever he does come in is there for everyone to use,” said Farrell.
“Him [Caelan] having a good rugby man who is obsessed with his rugby in himself, it’s nice to have somebody like him to bounce a few stories off. Certainly, I’m sure Caelan amongst others is having a quite word every now and again.”
Asked to outline the qualities he sees in Doris to appoint him captain, Farrell said: “Well, one, he’s certainly popular among the group because there’s no ego there whatsoever. He is unbelievably diligent in getting his own stuff right.
“He’s so professional. He’s come on in leaps and bounds over the last four years in regards to that. He’s worked it out, he’s comfortable in his own skin. Obviously being a leader now on a good few occasions and learning from the leaders that he’s had the pleasure to sit alongside in his international career. He’s like a sponge, he’s took it all in.
“He’s calm, he’s not panicking, he’s taking it all in his stride and that puts everyone else at ease, he’s very comfortable about allowing others to lead at the same time.
“And on top of that,” Farrell concluded, “he’s not in bad form, is he?”
IRELAND (v New Zealand): Hugo Keenan (Leinster); Mack Hansen (Connacht), Garry Ringrose (Leinster), Bundee Aki (Connacht), James Lowe (Leinster); Jack Crowley (Munster), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster); Andrew Porter (Leinster), Rónan Kelleher (Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Connacht); Joe McCarthy (Leinster), James Ryan (Leinster); Tadhg Beirne (Munster), Josh van der Flier (Leinster), Caelan Doris (Leinster, capt).
Replacements: Rob Herring (Ulster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Tom O’Toole (Ulster), Iain Henderson (Ulster), Peter O’Mahony (Munster), Conor Murray (Munster), Ciarán Frawley (Leinster), Jamie Osborne (Leinster).
NEW ZEALAND: Will Jordan; Mark Tele’a, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke; Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima; Tamaiti Williams, Asafo Aumua, Tyrel Lomax; Scott Barrett (capt), Tupou Vaa’i; Wallace Sititi, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea.
Replacements: George Bell, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Pasilio Tosi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Samipeni Finau, Cam Roigard, Anton Lienert-Brown, Stephen Perofeta.
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