Ireland announces multiple debuts and squad changes for Fiji Test

Ulster’s Cormac Izuchukwu is slated to start in the back row for Ireland, playing alongside experienced teammates Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris. The Autumn Nations Series fixture between Ireland and Fiji is scheduled for Saturday, 23 November, at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, with a kick-off time of 15:10 GMT. The match will be covered on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds, with live text and commentary also available on the BBC Sport website and app. Ulster back row Cormac Izuchukwu and Leinster hooker Gus McCarthy are both set to make their Ireland debuts in Saturday’s Test match against Fiji. Additionally, Sam Prendergast has been named to make his first start at fly-half. Izuchukwu, 24, will play at blind-side flanker, resulting in Tadhg Beirne moving into the second row. McCarthy, a 21-year-old Leinster front row player, will replace Ronan Kelleher. Prendergast, also 21, is making his full debut after having replaced Jack Crowley for the final 20 minutes of last week’s narrow victory over Argentina. In the backs, Jamie Osborne will take Hugo Keenan’s place at full-back, Bundee Aki returns to the midfield, Craig Casey is selected at scrum-half, and Ulster’s Jacob Stockdale is recalled to the left wing. Head coach Farrell has made seven changes to the squad facing Fiji, a team that previously defeated Wales in Cardiff this month. “There were signs of improvement last weekend and this week has been about building and embracing the challenge of a talented Flying Fijian side who will be coming over to Dublin full of confidence after their recent displays,” Farrell stated. Izuchukwu, who is capable of playing in both the second and back rows, was included in Farrell’s squad for the summer’s two-Test tour of South Africa but did not feature in either matchday panel. However, after impressing for Ulster and during his second Emerging Ireland tour earlier this autumn, he will now make his Test bow in a strong back row that includes Josh van der Flier, the 2022 world player of the year, and captain Caelan Doris. Izuchukwu’s Ulster team-mate Stockdale has been recognized for a strong start to the season, which has seen him score three tries in five United Rugby Championship appearances. Stockdale, 28, last started for Ireland in the World Cup warm-up match against Samoa in August 2023. McCarthy, who captained Ireland Under-20s to a Six Nations Grand Slam in 2023, has been promoted to the line-up, replacing Leinster team-mate Kelleher, who started against the All Blacks and Argentina. Prendergast, one of the standout players from that under-20s side, has been rewarded for a steady debut off the bench against Argentina. His older brother Cian, who has three caps, has been named on the bench. Aki also returns to the line-up after being dropped following the defeat by New Zealand, while Tom O’Toole is recalled to the replacements after missing the Argentina game due to a head injury sustained against the All Blacks. O’Toole’s Ulster team-mates Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, and Stuart McCloskey are also included on the bench. However, prop Tadhg Furlong remains absent from the squad despite a positive fitness update earlier this week. Among the players rested by Farrell are Crowley, James Lowe, Jamison Gibson-Park, Peter O’Mahony, Garry Ringrose, and James Ryan. Furthermore, Cian Healy, who drew level with Brian O’Driscoll against Argentina, will have to wait another week for his record-breaking 134th cap, as the prop was not selected in the 23-man squad. The Ireland squad is as follows: **Starting XV:** 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.