JOE SCHMIDT HAS named Luke Fitzgerald at inside centre in his XV to face Canada for Saturday’s opening World Cup Pool D fixture at the Millennium Stadium.
Iain Henderson has been given the nod in the second row, starting alongside captain Paul O’Connell.
Jamie Heaslip, Sean O’Brien and Peter O’Mahony make up a strong back row, with Rory Best, Mike Ross and Jack McGrath starting in the front row. The inclusion of Cian Healy on the bench after his recovery from neck surgery will excite Ireland fans.
Fitzgerald partners Jared Payne in the midfield, while Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray are the starting halfbacks. Rob Kearney is back from a knee problem at fullback, with his brother Dave and Keith Earls selected on the wings.
On the bench, Sean Cronin, Healy, Donnacha Ryan, Chris Henry, Ian Madigan, Eoin Reddan and Simon Zebo all provide potential impact.
Ireland (v Canada):
15. Rob Kearney
14. Dave Kearney
13. Jared Payne
12. Luke Fitzgerald
11. Keith Earls
10. Johnny Sexton
9. Conor Murray
1. Jack McGrath
2. Rory Best
3. Mike Ross
4. Iain Henderson
5. Paul O’Connell (captain)
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
Schmidt names Fitzgerald at 12 as Henshaw misses World Cup opener
JOE SCHMIDT HAS named Luke Fitzgerald at inside centre in his XV to face Canada for Saturday’s opening World Cup Pool D fixture at the Millennium Stadium.
Robbie Henshaw misses out through injury.
Iain Henderson has been given the nod in the second row, starting alongside captain Paul O’Connell.
Jamie Heaslip, Sean O’Brien and Peter O’Mahony make up a strong back row, with Rory Best, Mike Ross and Jack McGrath starting in the front row. The inclusion of Cian Healy on the bench after his recovery from neck surgery will excite Ireland fans.
Fitzgerald partners Jared Payne in the midfield, while Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray are the starting halfbacks. Rob Kearney is back from a knee problem at fullback, with his brother Dave and Keith Earls selected on the wings.
On the bench, Sean Cronin, Healy, Donnacha Ryan, Chris Henry, Ian Madigan, Eoin Reddan and Simon Zebo all provide potential impact.
Ireland (v Canada):
15. Rob Kearney
14. Dave Kearney
13. Jared Payne
12. Luke Fitzgerald
11. Keith Earls
10. Johnny Sexton
9. Conor Murray
1. Jack McGrath
2. Rory Best
3. Mike Ross
4. Iain Henderson
5. Paul O’Connell (captain)
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
Where can I watch the Rugby World Cup over the next 6 weeks?
The tragic tale of Max Brito — the Ivorian player paralysed at the 1995 Rugby World Cup
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Ireland Rugby World Cup rwc 15 Team news Canada