Farrell names strong side to face New Zealand

Head Coach Andy Farrell named his Ireland Match Day squad for the blockbuster clash against New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium this week.

Here is a reminder of the side that will play in the opening game of the Autumn Nations Series tonight.

Caelan Doris captains the side in the back row alongside Tadhg Beirne and Josh van der Flier.

In the second row, Joe McCarthy and James Ryan start in the engine room, while Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, and Finlay Bealham start in the front row.

Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen, and James Lowe are named in the Ireland back three, with Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose getting the nod in midfield.

James Gibson-Park and Jack Crowley are Ireland’s halfbacks.

Farrell’s bench consists of Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson, and Peter O’Mahony, providing forward reinforcements, with Conor Murray, Ciarán Frawley, and Jamie Osborne as backline options.

Speaking on Wednesday, Farrell said: “I am really pleased with the effort of the squad across the week’s training camp in Portugal. Since assembling at the IRFU High Performance Centre last week, the players have brought real application to training, and it’s great to see a number of players back from injury, which is testament to their diligence and the superb work of the medical team.

“It’s a hugely exciting four weeks ahead in the Aviva Stadium, and we know we’ll need to perform at a high level to beat a top-class New Zealand side. The challenge doesn’t come much bigger or better than New Zealand at a packed Aviva Stadium on a Friday night, under lights, with a home crowd roaring us on.”

Tonight’s match is live on Virgin Media One in the Republic of Ireland and TNT Sports in the United Kingdom, with live radio commentary available on RTÉ Radio 1.