Ireland team vs Fiji: Beirne captain as Farrell makes seven changes

Tadhg Beirne will captain Ireland at the Aviva Stadium for the first time as Andy Farrell makes seven changes for Saturday’s Nations Championship match against Fiji.

Ulster forward James McNabney is in line for his Test debut from the bench. Dan Sheehan misses out after a head injury against Argentina.

Ireland vs Fiji kicks off at 8.10pm on Saturday. It is live on ITV1 and ITVX in the UK and on Virgin Media One in Ireland.

Ireland team vs Fiji in full

Starting XV:
15. Mack Hansen (Connacht)
14. Robert Baloucoune (Ulster)
13. Jamie Osborne (Leinster)
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht)
11. Tommy O’Brien (Leinster)
10. Sam Prendergast (Leinster)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)

1. Andrew Porter (Leinster)
2. Rónan Kelleher (Leinster)
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster)
4. James Ryan (Leinster)
5. Tadhg Beirne (Munster, captain)
6. Ryan Baird (Leinster)
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster)
8. Nick Timoney (Ulster)

Replacements:
16. Tom Stewart (Ulster)
17. Tom O’Toole (Ulster)
18. Sam Illo (Connacht)
19. Darragh Murray (Connacht)
20. James McNabney (Ulster)
21. Craig Casey (Munster)
22. Ciarán Frawley (Connacht)
23. Stuart McCloskey (Ulster)

Beirne leads a strong Ireland side

Farrell has often rotated heavily for Fiji, but he has gone for experience this time. Porter, Furlong, Gibson-Park and van der Flier all start, as Ireland chase a second win in a row after beating Argentina 42-12 last Friday.

Beirne first captained Ireland against Japan in July. He takes the armband again with Sheehan, the regular captain, ruled out after failing to come through a head injury assessment.

The seven changes

The biggest movement is in the back three. Mack Hansen moves to full-back, and Hugo Keenan drops out of the matchday 23 altogether. Tommy O’Brien comes onto the wing for his first appearance of the November window.

In midfield, Jamie Osborne joins Bundee Aki, who is back after illness kept him out of the Argentina game.

Gibson-Park returns at scrum-half after recovering from injury, with Craig Casey dropping to the bench.

Up front, Rónan Kelleher replaces Sheehan at hooker and James Ryan comes into the second row alongside Beirne. Sean Jansen is injured, so Nick Timoney moves from openside to number eight and van der Flier returns at seven.

McNabney in line for debut

McNabney has impressed for Ulster and could win his first cap from the bench. He is part of a less experienced set of forward replacements that also includes Connacht pair Sam Illo and Darragh Murray.

Craig Casey, Ciarán Frawley and Stuart McCloskey provide the backline cover.

Why this match matters for Ireland

Ireland have won three of their four Nations Championship matches and sit third in the Northern Hemisphere table. A bonus-point win would keep them in the hunt for a top-three finish before South Africa visit Dublin next Saturday.

Fiji arrive after a heavy 54-17 defeat by France. Farrell’s selection suggests he wants this team to build momentum before the Springboks arrive, rather than just give fringe players a run.

For kick-off times and channels across the weekend, see our Ireland vs Fiji TV guide, our rugby on TV today page and the international rugby hub. The Journal has the official team announcement.

Ireland team vs Fiji FAQ

Who is Ireland captain against Fiji?
Tadhg Beirne, with Dan Sheehan ruled out after a head injury.

Who is making his Ireland debut against Fiji?
Ulster’s James McNabney is in line to make his debut from the bench.

What time is Ireland vs Fiji?
8.10pm on Saturday 14 November at the Aviva Stadium.

What channel is Ireland vs Fiji on?
ITV1 and ITVX in the UK, and Virgin Media One in Ireland.

Who do Ireland play next?
South Africa, in Dublin on Saturday 21 November.