MUNSTER SECOND ROW Jean Kleyn is set to make his international rugby debut for Ireland when Joe Schmidt’s side begin their Rugby World Cup warm-up schedule against Italy at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 2pm).
The South African lock is newly-qualified for Ireland under the three-year residency rule having moved to Munster after being granted early release from his Western Province contract during the summer of 2016.
The powerful, hard-hitting 25-year-old stands a real chance of breaking into the final 31-man squad for the trip to Japan next month, but first must begin impressing in a green shirt. Kleyn is partnered in the engine room by Devin Toner. Both Iain Henderson and Tadhg Beirne are among the replacements, so James Ryan is among the 20 remaining wider squad members left in cold storage for this weekend’s curtain-raiser.
Joey Carbery takes the reins at out-half on what will be his 19th cap, but just a sixth starting in the out-half role. He is partnered by Luke McGrath, back in green for the first time since the November win over USA.
Jordan Larmour starts at fullback with Andrew Conway and Dave Kearney – who is set for his first Test involvement since November 2017 – complete the back three, while Mike Haley could make it two Munster debutantes as he sits alongside Jack Carty and Kieran Marmion as the replacement backs.
Garry Ringrose and Chris Farrell make up a strong centre partnership. The back row is made up of Rhys Ruddock, Jordi Murphy and Tommy O’Donnell – whose last cap came during the 2016 Six Nations.
Rob Herring starts at hooker ahead of Niall Scannell and Sean Cronin. Jack McGrath and Andrew Porter get a chance to impress as starting props with Cian Healy and John Ryan in reserve.
Ireland (2019 RWC warm-up v Italy)
15. Jordan Larmour
14. Andrew Conway
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Chris Farrell
11. Dave Kearney
10. Joey Carbery
9. Luke McGrath
1. Jack McGrath
2. Rob Herring
3. Andrew Porter
4. Devin Toner
5. Jean Kleyn
6. Rhys Ruddock (Capt)
7. Tommy O’Donnell
8. Jordi Murphy
Replacements
16. Niall Scannell
17. Cian Healy
18. John Ryan
19. Iain Henderson
20. Tadhg Beirne
21. Kieran Marmion
22. Jack Carty
23. Mike Haley
Good to see what’s very much a second string side out. Larmour at 15 is something that needed to happen and it’s interesting to see farrell at 12 as well. Beirne off the bench at back row might give some indication as to what schmidt wants from him. Either way there’s a few guys there who can’t have anything but top class games on Saturday.
@Jim Demps: Farrell is the most interesting selection there although we are not short of 12′s or 13′s who can play 12. Looks like a good performance will be needed to bolster his chances of a seat on the plane.
Would have Marmion as my 2nd scrum half and nailed on to go to Japan so I’m a bit surprised that Cooney doesn’t get an opportunity this weekend.
One or two others will need to take their chances here otherwise it will be a short shift next week!!
@Ian Frizzell: I’d agree with Marmion. He’d be my back up choice too. Farrell I’d imagine is being given a chance to show his versatility. With his style and physique there’ll be no bother for him at 12. One of the notable absences I’d say from this 23 is Addison. Given his lack of game time this year I’d have thought he’d be given a run and with the competition it’s not like he’s in a position to be held back for bigger opposition.
@Jim Demps: I too am surprised by Addison’s omission. Not surprised that Joe is rewarding Haley though, as he was instrumental in getting him to come to Ireland and he has rewarded guys in the past who have done this and/or stayed around to qualify on residency. I don’t expect Haley to survive the next cut while I think Addison will still be very much in Joe’s thoughts for a place on the plane.
@Jim Demps: Addison sat out training this week
@Jim Demps: Ruraidh O Connor was on off the hall last night and said Addison had to sit out one of the training sessions this week. Not sure to what extent he might be injured.
@Kevin: I didn’t realise that, Feek said on Tuesday that they had a clean bill of health in the squad. Doesn’t bode well for Addisons chances I’d imagine with the amount of rugby he’s already missed. He needs to be playing if he’s to make the plane.
@Jim Demps: offtheball worth a listen from last night, v informative
Delighted Joe has selected such an experimental side for this match. Testing out a lot of new combinations in the Sr, br, center and back three is very exciting. I’m really looking forward to see what Farrell can do in the 12 jersey, for me his game could suit that position better. It will be interesting to see Beirne come on in the br if indeed that’s the plan. Seeing TOD in the green jersey again will be so uplifting considering all the injuries he’s endured, deserves his chance, hopefully he and all the rest of the lads stay injury free, take their chance and make joes decision even more difficult.
Kleyn is not Irish, he is someone who came here five minutes ago for economic reasons – he should deny a born and bred Irish player a cap.
And before the snowflake PC brigade are on for a whinge – was it Kleyn’s dream growing up to play for Ireland or South Africa? We should not be second choice for anyone.
@Treaty Bhoy: couldn’t agree more
@Joe: treaty boy: Couldn’t agree less. You guys should be campaigning for Trump!
@Treaty Bhoy: I agree.
@Treaty Bhoy: how do you feel about British people playing for Ireland?
@Treaty Bhoy:
You could say the same for CJ but he has put his sole and body to the Irish cause
Interesting thinking and gives us a bit of insight into how Schmidt is thinking. I think picking Farrell at 12 and Beirne as backrow cover shows he’s considering including them in the squad if they can deliver in those positions. If Farrell goes well at 12 and Larmour at 15 then I think Addison will need to deliver a big performance if and when he gets his chance. And if Beirne goes well at 6 then Ruddock might be more likely to lose out to Murphy/O’Donnell who are better equipped to cover 7.
For me the guys under most pressure to perform are the two McGraths, Herring. Conway and Kearney. There won’t be many more chances for them if they don’t deliver this weekend.
If Larmour plays extremely well in the next few tests, do you start him at 15 in the World Cup?
@Fade: He won’t and No in my opinion. Under the highball too much of a liability
@Fade: Would like to see Will Addison get a crack at full back.
@Fade: Conway is the man for fullback for Ireland and Munster
@Sean Dalton: Conway won’t be full back for Ireland
@BMJF: i know he wont but i think he should be
@Thomas Quinn: any chance of the lotto numbers
@Fade: I hope so. Realistically we need to have an attacking threat from 15 if we’re to have a hope at competing for the world cup, his vulnerability under the high ball may be a risk we have to take.
@Rochelle:
We all know who will be F/B in the WC (barring injurie)
We’re all part of Schmidties army , we’re all off to Japan. And we’ll really shake them up, when we get knocked out at the quarter final stages.
‘Cause Ireland is the greatest rugby team.
All together now.
@J:
PISS OFF :::
Ultan Dillane should be in before Jean Klyen & D Kearney should not be in any Irish team.
Probably only 9 of that 23 who can be pretty sure of travelling.
@Ian Frizzell: totally agree Ian. You’d feel even if some of the fringe guys play out of their skin they still won’t go. Bar injuries I’d feel the coaches know the majority of the squad at this stage.
@Ian Frizzell: only about 4 or 5 from the 15 are certain, it’s up for grabs for the rest of them
Delighted for Tod ( even though I think he won’t make the squad) interesting centre partnership. None of the frontrow had a good season so this is a stand up game for the 3 of them. I hope larmour has a stormer
For every foreign player who plays for Ireland there is an Irish player who doesn’t get to represent his country.
@Amos Cunningham: Rubbish if your good enough you will play. Ireland cant afford to turn its nose up at any player that becomes elligible our pool is not big enough especially with our policy of ignoring overseas Irish players. All the big nations do it France Australia England Scotland Wales and most of all New Zealand so this Ireland for the Irish notion is rascist and bullology. If a person is prepared to wait the 3 years and throw his lot in with the country he chose to live in then fair play. Us as a nation are doing it for centuries going abroad to seek a better life
Big chance for both McGraths and Porter. As of the end of last year they are all behind the 8 ball in their respective positions. I want to see Carbery using the tools outside him well, while getting swift and accurate supply from McGrath. Which should happen because that back row, along with Herring, will be breaking themselves to keep the ruck nice and clean for him. Probably his best chance so far to be proactive and impose himself on the attacking structure of the team. Larmour needs to be tested with high ball. And whatever about scoring a try, both wings need to be able to adapt to that backfield defence/ coming hard into the line to keep themselves in Farrell’s mind as viable. Larmour’s chat will be very important, which is hard as a younger player, but that’s probably one of his metrics he’s going to be measured on. I hope Beirne gets reasonable time on at 6, but equally I think we need to see 1 or 2 of Murphy, Stander and Ruddock at 7 in these four games. I just don’t see TOD getting out ahead of them, everyone else has proven too reliable in his absence. 3 excellent midfield distributors should sit the Italian midfield down on their heels and provide space out wide. And Farrell’s opposite number is that young lad who dropped the ball over the line against France, great opportunities for crash ball. Once the set piece is relatively error free this should be all about getting interestimg attacking shape off Carbery.
This was always going to be an “experimental” 15 and it’s hard to see any clear thinking in JS mind re the eventual world cup squad other than giving some of the fringe guys a run. That said I’m glad that Larmour is getting a run at fullback, TOD at 7 and Farrell at 12. I think TOD of the 3 of them probably has the least chance of making the squad but it’s a player I’ve always liked and I’d love to see him give Joe something to think about. Looking forward to Saturday
Kleyn is ahead of Beirne for 4th lock…
@Andrew H: Damn you really don’t like Beirne. Why is that?
@Sam Ahern: Simple really? because he plays for Munster. Your man with the capital H can’t abide anything to do with Munster.
@Walter Obrien: Kleyn also plays for Munster
@Andrew H: think Beirne is more versatile. Nothing to do where either comes from or what county they play for (both Munster). Klyne has lost some of his lustre. Could be both traveling…
@Walter Obrien:
Great Rugby input :: Andrew has his bias as you certainly have ::but Andrew knows his Rugby, you may not agree with him but for a fan who lives away he keep up with all things Irish Rugby
K
@Martin Quinn: Yawn. Zzzzzzzz!
@Walter Obrien:
BIAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSS
Think Ryan may be a No6?
Not sure this team will beat a fired up Italy – does that matter?
Ireland B?
Looks like its Aki-Henshaw in the centres?
@Connachtabu: not a chance, if ringrose is fit he plays. Aki and Henshaw too similar.