Paul O’Connell has handed Leinster right wing Tommy O’Brien and Connacht secondrow Darragh Murray their Ireland debuts in Saturday’s Test against Georgia in Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi (6pm, Irish time).
There is the prospect of four more players – props Michael Milne and Jack Aungier, secondrow Tom Ahern and scrumhalf Ben Murphy – winning first caps as they have been named among the replacements.
Craig Casey will captain his country for the first time and the Munster man will become the 112th Ireland Test captain since 1875. He is the third scrumhalf to captain Ireland in the professional era after Niall Hogan (three times) and Eoin Reddan (once).
The 27-year-old Tommy O’Brien forms a potent back three alongside namesake Jimmy and Jacob Stockdale, who last played for Ireland against Fiji in November. The Ulster wing needs one more try to become the 21st player to score 100 plus points for Ireland and the first since Jack Crowley.
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Jamie Osborne and Stu McCloskey are named in the centre while Sam Prendergast will partner Casey at halfback. It’s an all-Leinster frontrow, while Murray will be joined by Cormac Izuchukwu in the secondrow; the Ulsterman made his Ireland debut in that Fiji game. The backrow is a superb amalgam of power and athleticism.
On the replacements bench, Munster duo Michael Milne and Tom Ahern as well as Connacht pair Jack Aungier and scrumhalf Ben Murphy could potentially make their respective international bows. The quartet are joined by Tom Stewart, Cian Prendergast and Calvin Nash.
O’Connell said: “I have been impressed by the application of the squad ahead of this two-Test tour and Saturday’s game presents an exciting opportunity for this group of players. To Craig (Casey), I would like to congratulate him on his first game as captain. Craig has taken to captaincy impressively.
“He’s going to relish leading his country and I know how keen he is to make his mark alongside the rest of the players. This weekend is also an extra special one for six players who are set to make their international debuts.
“To Tommy and Darragh, who get the chance to start, as well as the four others who will be ready to make their mark from the bench, I wish them well and the squad are determined to make it a memorable occasion for them and their families. Though light in terms of international caps in some areas, there’s also a nice blend of experience in the squad.”
Ireland: Jimmy O’Brien (Naas/Leinster); Tommy O’Brien (UCD/Leinster); Jamie Osborne (Naas/Leinster), Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/Ulster), Jacob Stockdale (Lurgan/Ulster); Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster), Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster, capt); Jack Boyle (UCD/Leinster), Gus McCarthy (UCD/Leinster), Thomas Clarkson (Dublin University/Leinster); Cormac Izuchukwu (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Darragh Murray (Buccaneers/Connacht), Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster), Nick Timoney (Banbridge/Ulster), Gavin Coombes (Young Munster/Munster). Replacements: Tom Stewart (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Michael Milne (UCD/Munster), Jack Aungier (Clontarf/Connacht), Tom Ahern (Shannon/Munster), Cian Prendergast (UCD/Connacht), Ben Murphy (Clontarf/Connacht), Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster), Calvin Nash (Young Munster/Munster).
