Uncapped Jamie Osborne will start against the world champion Springboks in a formidable Ireland lineup when the top-ranked teams clash in Pretoria on Saturday.
Head coach Andy Farrell on Thursday named the matchday 23 to face the Boks in the first Test of the two-match series at Loftus Versfeld.
Peter O’Mahony will captain the team as Leinster’s Osborne will win his debut cap at fullback. He is joined in the back three by Calvin Nash and James Lowe, with Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw starting in the midfield.
There is an all-Munster halfback pairing in scrumhalf Craig Casey and flyhalf Jack Crowley.
In the pack, Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong start in the front row, with Joe McCarthy partnering Tadhg Beirne behind them. O’Mahony packs down in the loose trio with openside flanker Josh van der Flier and No 8 Caelan Doris.
Ronan Kelleher, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Conor Murray, Ciaran Frawley and Garry Ringrose are set to make an impact off the bench.
Ireland – 15 Jamie Osborne, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12. Bundee Aki, 11 James Lowe, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Craig Casey, 8 Caelan Doris, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter.
Subs: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 James Ryan, 20 Ryan Baird, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Ciaran Frawley, 23 Garry Ringrose.
Photo: Johan Pretorius/Gallo Images
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
