Portugal v Ireland - teams and prediction
PREVIEW: Portugal’s historic season concludes this weekend with an incredible fixture as they take on one the powerhouses in the modern game, Ireland, for the first time on home soil this Saturday.
After securing direct qualification for the 2027 World Cup, Portugal, coached by Simon Mannix, face the last challenge of the season in a highly prestigious warm-up match.
Portugal head into the fixtures after winning 4th place in the Rugby Europe Championship 2024.
On the other side will be Ireland, currently ranked third, who arrives in Lisbon with an impressive record: eight wins in ten games, including a 34-5 triumph against Georgia last week in Tbilisi.
Ireland interim head coach Paul O’Connell has named his team to face Portugal in the second game of the two-Test series on Saturday in Estádio Nacional do Jamor, Lisbon.
There are two debutants in the starting XV with Connacht’s Shayne Bolton lining out on the left wing in a back three featuring Leinster duo Jimmy O’Brien, who continues at fullback, and right wing Tommy O’Brien.
The backline sees one further change from the side that defeated Georgia in Tbilisi last weekend, with Munster’s Jack Crowley set to earn his 26th appearance at flyhalf alongside captain Craig Casey who continues at scrumhalf. Stuart McCloskey and Jamie Osborne will link up once more in midfield.
Up front, Munster’s Alex Kendellen, who led Emerging Ireland on last year’s winning tour to Bloemfontein, will make his first international appearance in a back-row which includes Ryan Baird and the returning Cian Prendergast.
Tom Ahern comes in for his first start having made his debut in Tbilisi last weekend and he will partner Darragh Murray at second row, with the front row of Jack Boyle, Gus McCarthy and Thomas Clarkson unchanged.
The third potential debutant sees Connacht’s Hugh Gavin promoted to the replacements bench and the former Ireland Under-20 Grand Slam winner, who like his provincial team-mate Bolton scored on his Ireland ‘A’ debut in February, is joined by Ben Murphy and Ciaran Frawley as Ireland’s backline replacements.
Tom O’Toole joins Tom Stewart and Michael Milne in providing front-row impact off the bench, with Cormac Izuchukwu and Max Deegan completing the replacements.
Portugal will become the 21st nation that Ireland has awarded caps against and the first “new” nation since facing Russia in 2002.
Looking ahead to this weekend’s fixture in Lisbon, Paul O’Connell said: “I have been really pleased with the attitude of the players over the last number of weeks.
“The dedication and diligence of the squad in testing conditions over in Tbilisi demonstrated the players’ willingness to embrace challenges, and hopefully that bodes well again this weekend.
“This Saturday presents another opportunity to go out and try to play our game. Portugal are another impressive emerging side who look to play an exciting brand of rugby, and we know that we’re in for another battle, hopefully in front of another big crowd of travelling supporters.
“To our three new debutants – Shayne, Alex and Hugh – congratulations on their selection. The team will try to deliver a positive performance for them and their families.”
Prediction:
Rugby365: Ireland by 15 points
Teams:
Portugal: TBC
Ireland: 15 Jimmy O’Brien, 14 Tommy O’Brien, 13 Jamie Osbourne, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Shayne Bolton, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Craig Casey, 8 Cian Prendegast, 7 Alex Kendellen, 6 Ryan Baird, 5 Darragh Murray, 4 Tom Ahern, 3 Thomas Clarkson, 2 Gus McCarthy, 1 Jack Boyle.
Replacements: 16 Tom Stewart, 17 Michael Milne, 18 Tom O’Toole, 19 Cormac Izuchukwu, 20 Max Deegan, 21 Ben Murphy, 22 Ciaran Frawley, 23 Hugh Gavin.
Date: Saturday, July 12
Venue: Estadio Nacional do Jamor, Lisbon
Kick-off: 19.00 (19.00 Irish time, 18.00 GMT)
Referee: Adam Leal (England)
Assistant Referees: Anthony Woodthorpe (England) & Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Italy)
