The Daily Star Ireland
Ulster back row Cormac Izuchukwu and Leinster hooker Gus McCarthy are set to make their debuts for Ireland in Saturday’s Test against Fiji, with Sam Prendergast making his first start at fly-half.
Izuchukwu, 24, is positioned at blind-side flanker with Tadhg Beirne moving to the second row, while 21-year-old Leinster front row McCarthy takes over from Ronan Kelleher.
Prendergast, also 21, will start after replacing Jack Crowley in the final 20 minutes of last week’s close win over Argentina.
In the backs, Jamie Osborne steps in for Hugo Keenan at full-back, Bundee Aki returns to the midfield, Craig Casey is named at scrum-half, and Ulster’s Jacob Stockdale is recalled to the left wing. These changes are part of seven alterations made by head coach Andy Farrell for the match against Fiji, who recently defeated Wales in Cardiff.
Farrell expressed optimism about the team’s progress and highlighted the importance of building on last week’s performance while preparing for the challenge posed by a confident Fiji side.
Izuchukwu, versatile in both the second and back rows, was previously included in Farrell’s squad for the summer’s two-Test tour of South Africa but did not play. However, his impressive performances for Ulster and on his second Emerging Ireland tour have earned him a place in the starting lineup, joining 2022 world player of the year Josh van der Flier and captain Caelan Doris in a formidable back row.
Stockdale, 28, has been recognized for his strong start to the season, scoring three tries in five United Rugby Championship matches. He last started for Ireland in a World Cup warm-up game against Samoa in August 2023.
McCarthy, who led Ireland Under-20s to a Six Nations Grand Slam in 2023, replaces his Leinster teammate Kelleher. Prendergast, another standout from the under-20s squad, has earned a starting position following a solid debut off the bench against Argentina. His older brother Cian, who has three caps, is named on the bench.
Aki returns to the lineup after being dropped following the loss to New Zealand, and Tom O’Toole is back among the replacements after missing the Argentina game due to a head injury sustained against the All Blacks.
Ulster teammates Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, and Stuart McCloskey are also on the bench, but prop Tadhg Furlong is still not included despite a positive fitness update earlier in the week.
Key players like Crowley, James Lowe, Jamison Gibson-Park, Peter O’Mahony, Garry Ringrose, and James Ryan are rested by Farrell.
Additionally, Cian Healy will have to wait another week for his record-breaking 134th cap, having tied with Brian O’Driscoll against Argentina, as the prop is not included in the matchday 23.
Ireland team v Fiji
- Ireland: Jamie Osborne; Mack Hansen, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale; Sam Prendergast, Craig Casey; Andrew Porter, Gus McCarthy, Finlay Bealham; Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne; Cormac Izuchukwu, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt).
- Replacements: Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Thomas Clarkson, Iain Henderson, Cian Prendergast, Conor Murray, Ciaran Frawley, Stuart McCloskey.
