Andy Farrell excited to unleash “big game player” against the Springboks

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RugbyLAD Team
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Release the beast.

Andy Farrell is excited to unleash one of his “big game” players this weekend as his side gets set to face the world champion Springboks.

Bundee Aki’s minutes have been limited for Ireland this month, but the Connacht centre is set to partner Garry Ringrose this weekend in a formidable midfield partnership.

Aki is known for showing up in the big occasions, and it doesn’t get much bigger than South Africa in Dublin.

“We think this is a fantastic partnership with Bundee [Aki] and Ringer [Garry Ringrose] coming in, obviously they’re fresh,” Farrell said.

“Robbie Henshaw has a little bit of a tweak to a hamstring that’s made him sit out and just be nursed at the beginning of the week.

“Could he be fit towards the end of the week? He probably could, that goes along with your thinking also and obviously Stuart McCloskey, he’s out injured and has gone back up the road to Ulster.

“He’s [Bundee Aki] a big game player, isn’t he? I mean, look at the experience he’s got, he 100% would be hoping that his character fits these types of occasions.

“So again, he’s got to go out there and prove it like everyone else.”

Another cente who is set to feature this weekend is Tom Farrell, who became the oldest ever back to debut for Ireland when he togged out against Japan earlier this month.

“It’s been a big month for him, coming in to camp and getting his first cap and having a week or two to digest that, and we said when he was making his debut that he’s been excellent, the difference compared to when he was in all those years ago is like chalk and cheese really,” Farrell added.

“So that’s continued, and he’ll be itching to get on and show what he can do in a big game.”

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