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Farrell makes debut as Ireland look to the future

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Chris Farrell will win his first cap for Ireland in a new-look centre pairing after coach Joe Schmidt named a second-string starting line-up for Saturday’s test against Fiji in Dublin.

The 24-year-old Farrell, who has recently joined Munster after playing club rugby in France, will play alongside Stuart McCloskey, who makes his second international appearance.

Flanker Rhys Ruddock captains a side showing 13 changes from the team who thrashed South Africa 38-3 in Dublin last Saturday in the first of three November internationals for the Irish, who also host Argentina on Nov. 25.

Dave Kearney returns on the left wing after two injury-hit seasons and 21-year-old prop Andrew Porter wins his second cap.

“It’s the acid test for Andrew, undoubtedly. He has thoroughly impressed us. He is a long term project for the here and now, suddenly. He needs to get comfortable in an uncomfortable environment,” Schmidt told reporters on Thursday.

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“There is no better way to test people than to throw them into the arena.”

Team: 15-Andrew Conway, 14-Darren Sweetnam, 13-Chris Farrell, 12-Stuart McCloskey, 11-Dave Kearney, 10-Joey Carbery, 9-Kieran Marmion, 8-Jack Conan, 7-Jordi Murphy, 6-Rhys Ruddock (captain), 5-Devin Toner, 4-Ultan Dillane, 3-Andrew Porter, 2-Rob Herring, 1-Jack McGrath Replacements: 16-James Tracy, 17-Cian Healy, 18-Tadhg Furlong, 19-Kieran Treadwell, 20-CJ Stander, 21-Luke McGrath, 22-Ian Keatley, 23-Robbie Henshaw.

(Reporting by Mark Gleeson,; Editing by Ed Osmond)


2 min read

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Source: Reuters


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