5 hours Ago By The Independent
will hope to find top gear as they face after two imperfect performances in the so far. Andy Farrell’s side bounced back from a rare defeat in Dublin to the All Blacks by beating Argentina, though threatened to throw a dominant position away as the Pumas roared back. Australia may still be to come but Farrell will know his team can ill afford to take their eyes off the ball against a visiting side that have claimed a series of scalps in the last 18 months.
Though given a scare by Spain last weekend, Fiji eventually came through to secure a second successive win after stunning Wales in Cardiff. Here’s everything you need to know. Ireland vs Fiji is due to kick off at 3.
10pm GMT on Saturday 23 November at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1 and 2, with coverage on the latter channel from 2.30pm GMT.
Subscribers can stream the action via discovery+. Andy Farrell feels able to rotate in places but stays strong against dangerous opposition. Debuts are handed out to young Leinster hooker Gus McCarthy and the versatile Ulster forward Cormac Izuchukwu on the blindside in an otherwise familiar pack.
Sam Prendergast is handed a first start as the starlet takes the reins at fly half and Jacob Stockdale is recalled on the wing having returned to somewhere near his best this season in Belfast. Cian Healy will have to wait to surpass Brian O’Driscoll’s cap record having been left out of the matchday 23. Fiji boss Mick Byrne makes a number of changes from a slightly scratchy performance against Spain.
It is all change in the back row where Meli Derenelagi, Kitione Salawa and Elia Canakaivata reunite, while co-captain Tevita Ikanivere returns at hooker. Josua Tuisova adds extra carrying threat to another loaded backline. On the bench, look out for lock Setareki Turagacoke, just 18 but making rapid strides at Stade Francais.
1 Andrew Porter, 2 Gus McCarthy, 3 Finlay Bealham; 4 Joe McCarthy, 5 Tadhg Beirne; 6 Cormac Izuchukwu, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Caelan Doris (captain); 9 Craig Casey, 10 Sam Prendergast; 11 Jacob Stockdale, 12 Bundee Aki, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 14 Mack Hansen; 15 Jamie Osborne. 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Tom O’Toole, 18 Tom Clarkson, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Cian Prendergast; 21 Conor Murray, 22 Ciaran Frawley, 23 Stuart McCloskey. 1 Eroni Mawi, 2 Tevita Ikanivere (co-captain), 3 Luke Tagi; 4 Mesake Vocevoce, 5 Temo Mayanavanua; 6 Meli Derenelagi, 7 Kitione Salawa, 8 Elia Canakaivata; 9 Frank Lomani, 10 Caleb Muntz; 11 Ponepati Loganimasi, 12 Josua Tuisova, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu, 14 Jiuta Wainiqolo; 15 Vuate Karawalevu.
16 Sam Matavesi, 17 Haereiti Hetet, 18 Samu Tawake, 19 Setareki Turagacoke, 20 Albert Tuisue; 21 Peni Matawalu, 22 Vilimoni Botitu, 23 Sireli Maqala. Ireland win 1/14 Draw 55/1 Fiji win 11/1.
