Andy Farrell has announced a strong squad for the upcoming Autumn Internationals in November. Caelan Doris is set to captain the side, and youngsters Sam Prendergast, Cormac Izuchukwu and Gus McCarthy have all earned spots on the team.
While the series will see Ireland take on Argentina, Fiji and Australia later in November, first up is a massive repeat of their RWC quarter-final versus the All Blacks.
For a task that tall, nothing but a perfect performance from Ireland will do. That's why Farrell will have little choice but to steer clear of his recently appointed youngsters and roll out the country's tried and tested stars for the affair.
Ireland welcome the All Blacks to the Aviva Stadium on the 8th of November for a game under the Friday night lights.
The Ireland team we want to see versus The All Blacks
Having announced his squad today, we've chosen the Balls.ie team we think will line up in front of the Haka in November.
15. Hugo Keenan
The Leinster fullback's near-perfect last-ditch tackling will undoubtedly be needed against an All Blacks team with a reputation for crushing teams with last-minute breakaway tries.
14. Mack Hansen
If he's fit, the Connacht winger is one of the best finishers in Europe and a sure-fire pick for Farrell's team.
13. Gary Ringrose
Ringrose's quick feet outside the brute force of Bundee Aki makes for a very exciting centre pairing.
12. Bundee Aki
A stalwart of the Irish team, Aki has been enjoying a brilliant start to the URC season for Connacht and put in a trojan shift versus Leinster.
11. James Lowe
While Lowe has stiff competition from the high-flying Jacob Stockdale, the Leinster man has done enough in his two games to hold onto his spot.
10. Jack Crowley
While very little separates Crowley and Frawley, Crowley's experience earns him the nod. The Munster ten never lets his province or country down.
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
Gibson-Park's position needs little justification. The Leinster scrumhalf is the best scrumhalf in the country and when fit picks himself.
8. Caelan Doris
Captain Doris has been one of Ireland's most promising players since he burst onto the scene, however, the last 12 months have seen the star's game go to a whole new level. His leadership and ball-carrying for Leinster have been sensational so far this season.
7. Josh Van Der Flier
Van Der Flier's near-perfect defensive ability combined with his confidence in carrying the ball in tight scenarios makes him the obvious choice for outside flanker.
6. Ryan Baird
Further off the beaten track, Ryan Baird's form over the last 12 months has more than justified his position in the back row, his play beyond the gainline will prove invaluable to Ireland's attack in November.
5. Tadhg Beirne
A shoo-in for the captaincy, Beirne is the inform lock in the country and was absolutely sensational in Munster's loss to Leinster. He's the definition of a sure-fire pick.
4. Joe McCarthy
Farrell will be praying that McCarthy's return comes in time for the All Blacks Clash. He may not be as experienced as his counterparts, but McCarhty's raw grit and tenacity make him the perfect man to line up behind the experienced front row.
3. Tadhg Furlong
Furlong has gone somewhat under the radar since last year, but on the sport's biggest days, you need its biggest players and Furlong's technical ability in the scrum is spades above the rest.
2. Rob Herring
With Dan Sheehan out of action and questions remaining about Ronan Kelleher's fitness, Ulster's Rob Herring will be needed to keep the pack together.
1. Andrew Porter
Against the might of the All Blacks scrum, there's only one man for the job and that's Leinster's Andrew Porter who's a rock at loose head.
While the starting team all but decides itself, the substitutions throw up a few dilemmas, that said, considering the opposition we think this mix of experience and youth will be lining out for Ireland v New Zealand on November 8th.
16. Rob Herring, 17. Cian Healy, 18. Finlay Bealham, 19. James Ryan, 20. Cian Prendergast, 21. Conor Murray, 22. Ciaran Frawley, 23. Jamie Osborne
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