Revealed: Ireland’s Probable Team For All Blacks Clash In Dublin

Joe Schmidt has some pretty big calls to make ahead of this weekend’s game.

Ireland welcome the All Blacks to Dublin this weekend in a return fixture following their shock history making win in Chicago. The men in green ended a 111 year wait, finally defeating New Zealand, in a 40-29 win.

Since that famous win, Schmidt has seen the likes of Peter O’Mahony and Sean O’Brien return to full fitness, with player’s like Ultan Dillane, Keith Earls and Cian Healy all impressing against Canada, leaving him with a number of selection headaches.

The only enforced change Schmidt will be have to make is at seven, with Jordi Murphy ruled out following his devastating knee injury during the win at Soldier Field. Will Schmidt go with Josh van der Flier who came on early in the game following Murphy’s injury, putting in a superb performance, or will he bring back devastating ball carrier, Sean O’Brien?

The other big decison is whether or not to bring Keith Earls back into the fold on the left wing. Zebo was superb against the All Blacks, in what was probably his best performance in an Ireland shirt, so chances are, he’ll keep his left wing spot.

Conor Murray also looks to have shaken off a hamstring problem and will start on Saturday.

Schmidt is set to name his team at 1.45pm tomorrow afternoon.

Probable Ireland team:

15. Rob Kearney
14. Andrew Trimble
13. Jared Payne
12. Robbie Henshaw
11. Simon Zebo
10. Johnny Sexton
9. Conor Murray

1. Jack McGrath
2. Rory Best
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Donnacha Ryan
5. Devin Toner
6. CJ Stander
7. Sean O’Brien/Josh van der Flier
8. Jamie Heaslip

Replacements:

16. Sean Cronin
17. Cian Healy
18. Finlay Bealham
19. Ultan Dillane
20. Josh van der Flier/Sean O’Brien
21. Kieran Marmion
22. Paddy Jackson
23. Garry Ringrose