Farrell rings the changes for Ireland's clash against Samoa
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Head coach Andy Farrell has named his matchday squad to face Samoa in Saturday’s World Cup warm-up fixture at Stade Jean-Dauger in Bayonne.
Following wins over Italy and England at Lansdowne Road, the Ireland squad have spent this week in Bayonne to finalise their preparations for World Cup, with a little over two weeks to go until their tournament opener against Romania in Bordeaux.
Iain Henderson returns to the second row to captain Ireland on Saturday, having done so against Italy in Dublin at the start of the month.
Jimmy O’Brien, Mack Hansen and Keith Earls, fresh from winning his 100th Test cap last weekend, start in the back three, with Robbie Henshaw and Stuart McCloskey in midfield.
There is an all-Munster halfback pairing as Jack Crowley and Conor Murray start at flyhalf and scrumhalf respectively.
In the pack, Cian Healy and Finlay Bealham are selected either side of Tom Stewart, who is set for his first Ireland start having made his debut off the bench against Italy. Henderson partners Tadhg Beirne in the engine room, with Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris completing the starting XV.
There is a wealth of experience at Farrell’s disposal among the replacements, with Rob Herring, Jeremy Loughman and Tom O’Toole providing the front-row reinforcements. James Ryan and Peter O’Mahony offer cover in the second and back row, while Craig Casey, Ross Byrne and Garry Ringrose are the backline options.
Ireland: 15 Jimmy O’Brien, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Caelan Doris, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Ryan Baird, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 Iain Henderson, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Tom Stewart, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Jeremy Loughman, 18 Tom O’Toole, 19 James Ryan, 20 Peter O’Mahony, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Garry Ringrose.
Date: Saturday, August 26
Venue: Stade Jean-Dauger, Bayonne
Kick-off: 20.45 (19.45 UK & Ireland time; 18.45 GMT; 07.45 Sunday, August 27 WST)
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant referees: Andrea Piardi (Italy), Adam Leal (England)
TMO: Ben Blain (Scotland)
