Joe Schmidt has named his team for the crucial final test with South Africa this Saturday. The Ireland head coach has chosen to bring some big names back into this XV.
CJ Stander has a chance to redeem himself against his home country for his sending off in the first test, and will be joined by Jordi Murphy and Jamie Heaslip in Ireland's back row with Iain Henderson shuffled back into the second row with Devin Toner.
Jared Payne did not recover from the knock he took in the third test, meaning that Ulster pair Stuart Olding and Luke Marshall will deputise in the centres, and Connacht's Tiernan O'Halloran will get his first touch in international rugby from fullback.
Mike Ross, Keith Earls, Luke Marshall, and Jordi Murphy join Stander in returning from the first test - with Ruddock and Furlong dropping to the bench. Sean Cronin and Ultan Dillane return to the replacements, and there could be a first cap for Connacht winger Matt Healy.
Overall it looks a strong team, with plenty of impact potential to come from the bench.
Ireland Team v South Africa
Here's the @IrishRugby team v @Springboks. @thepain15 ruled out @Tiernanoh11 to start. #TeamOfUs #ShoulderToSHoulder pic.twitter.com/ZPb2ika9jr
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) June 23, 2016
Only three teams have ever won a series in South Africa - the Lions and New Zealand have done it just once, and France have won two series.
Retiring Eoin Reddan gets one last chance in green, and will be backing up Conor Murray from the replacements bench. The 35-year-old will be hoping to win his 71st cap, and round of a glittering career with a historic series victory.
See Also: South Africa Make Two Changes For Final Ireland Test But Not The One They Needed To
Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
