Ireland team named for Autumn Nations Series opener with the All Blacks
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Here we go.
Ireland boss Andy Farrell has named his team for Friday’s Autumn Nations Series opener with the All Blacks at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Caelan Doris captains Ireland from the back row having previously led the side in the Guinness Six Nations victory over Italy last February and in the Second Test defeat of South Africa in July.
Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen and James Lowe start in the Ireland back three, with Bundee Aki partnering Garry Ringrose in midfield, while Jamison Gibson-Park returns to the number nine jersey alongside Jack Crowley at out-half.
In the pack, Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher and Finlay Bealham are in the front row, with Joe McCarthy and James Ryan starting in the engine room.
Tadhg Beirne is at blindside flanker, Josh van der Flier is at openside and Doris completes the starting XV at number eight.
Farrell has experience to call upon from the replacements bench with Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson and Peter O’Mahony providing the forward reinforcements, while Conor Murray, Ciaran Frawley and Jamie Osborne are the backline options.
Ireland (v New Zealand):
15. Hugo Keenan
14. Mack Hansen
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Bundee Aki
11. James Lowe
10. Jack Crowley
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
1. Andrew Porter
2. Rónan Kelleher
3. Finlay Bealham
4. Joe McCarthy
5. James Ryan
6. Tadhg Beirne
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Caelan Doris (c)
Replacements:
16. Rob Herring
17. Cian Healy
18. Tom O’Toole
19. Iain Henderson
20. Peter O’Mahony
21. Conor Murray
22. Ciaran Frawley
23. Jamie Osborne