Ireland continue their 2023 Rugby World Cup journey this Saturday as they take on Tonga in their second game in Pool B. Here is all the news, TV information, kick off time and latest team news ahead of Ireland vs Tonga.
When is Ireland v Tonga?
Ireland will face Tonga on Saturday, September 16th in the Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes at 8:00pm (Irish time)
How to watch Ireland v Tonga?
Ireland vs Tonga is being shown live on RTÉ in Ireland and ITV1 in the UK. The match is also available live on RTE player and ITVX. Coverage on RTÉ starts at 7pm.
Ireland Team To Play Tonga
On Thursday, Andy Farrell named a very strong team to take on Tonga.
The only changes to the backs who faced Romania see Mack Hansen and Conor Murray come in for Keith Earls and Jamison Gibson-Park.
In the pack, meanwhile, Ronan Kelleher returns to the starting XV in place of Rob Herring, while Josh van der Flier comes into the team in place of Joe McCarthy, who drops out of the 23 entirely.
15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster)
14. Mack Hansen (Connacht)
13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster)
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht)
11. James Lowe (Leinster)
10. Johnny Sexton (Leinster, captain)
9. Conor Murray (Munster)
1. Andrew Porter (Leinster)
2. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster)
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster)
4. Tadhg Beirne (Munster)
5. James Ryan (Leinster)
6. Peter O'Mahony (Munster)
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster)
8. Caelan Doris (Leinster)
Replacements:
16. Rob Herring (Ulster)
17. Dave Kilcoyne (Munster)
18. Finlay Bealham (Connacht)
19. Iain Henderson (Ulster)
20. Ryan Baird (Leinster)
21. Craig Casey (Munster)
22. Ross Byrne (Leinster)
23. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster)
Ireland vs Tonga Form Guide
Aside from a rather heart stopping Romanian score less than three minutes in, Ireland’s World Cup opener went exactly according to plan. The return of the captain, and now Ireland’s all time leading point scorer in Rugby World Cups, Johnny Sexton was a welcome sight for Irish fans as he led his side well in an 82-8 mauling of the 19th ranked Romania team. There were standout performances from Bundee Aki in the 12 shirt, young lock Joe McCarthy and a player of the match award for Peter O’Mahony, as the Irish side racked up 12 tries in all. Next up, Ireland face a much sterner test against a Tonga side for whom this will be their first run out of Rugby World Cup 2023.
Ireland currently sit atop Group B.
Tonga boast a squad of big name internationals who have recently requalified for their country of origin after a change to the eligibility laws in 2021.
After recently announcing his departure from Bristol to the Japanese top division, full back Charles Piutau has been named in the squad along side, former London Irish and Wallaby lock Adam Coleman, the monstrous Bordeaux Bégles tighthead Ben Tameifuna and fresh off winning the United Rugby Championship with Munster, inside centre Malakai Fekitoa will be lining out against his old club mates.
Tonga’s lack of World Cup warm up games and the distinct absence of former Wallaby star Israel Folau due to injury does appear to leave them some what unprepared going in to a major tournament. However, given the immense talent they have across the board the men from the Kingdom of Tonga present something of an unknown for Andy Farrell’s side and will require a quality Irish performance if they are to move on to the last two pool games undefeated.
