Joe Schmidt has named a close to full strength team to take on Canada in their opening game of the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Robbie Henshaw has a tight hamstring so hasn’t been risked, Luke Fitzgerald running out in the 12 shirt in his place. Keith Earls gets a chance on the wing, along with the Kearney brothers Rob and Dave in the back three.
Ian Henderson is named in the engine room alongside Paul O’Connell, while it’s a first choice back row of Peter O’Mahony, Sean O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip.
There is good news for Ireland fans on the bench, where Cian Healy will make his long-awaited return from injury. Ian Madigan and Eoin Reddan are the back-ups to Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton.
IRELAND TEAM TO PLAY CANADA
15. Rob Kearney 14. Dave Kearney 13. Jared Payne 12. Luke Fitzgerald 11. Keith Earls 10. Johnny Sexton 9. Connor Murray; 1. Jack McGrath 2. Rory Best 3. Mike Ross 4. Iain Henderson 5. Paul O’Connell 6. Peter O’Mahony 7. Sean O’Brien 8. Jamie Heaslip
Replacements: 16. Sean Cronin 17. Cian Healy 18. Nathan White 19. Donnacha Ryan 20. Chris Henry 21. Eoin Reddan 22. Ian Madigan 23. Simon Zebo
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
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AHHH – The Battenberg of teams.
DDD
Pacific not Aran!
Seems pretty much their strongest team, but wouldn’t Earls be better @ centre & Fitzgerald on the wing? I mean wasn’t Fitz originally a winger, incl for the Lions in SA?
Also are Payne & Henshaw the best midfield combo Ireland have? V England I thought that they were solid, rather than skilled. For instance, they played ‘wrap arounds’ too soon, i.e., when in their own territory as opposed to in, or nearer to, the England 22.
Also Payne’s pass to Kearney on the left wing before 1/2 time was over the latter’s head & not in front of him & at waist height. Thought that butchered a likely try for Ireland – which they badly needed then.