Ireland begin their November series underway this weekend when they take on reigning world champions South Africa in the Aviva Stadium.
Less than one year out from the World Cup, it will be a dress rehearsal ahead of next year’s showdown, with the sides set to face each other in the group stages in France.
Both sides will come into this game full of confidence after their respective summers. Ireland recorded a historical first ever series win in New Zealand, while South Africa came up just short o points difference in the Rugby Championship.
While both sides have made some interesting selections in their squad for the November series, they will be fully aware of the significance of a victory this weekend.
Although Ireland have been impressive in the last year, they have traditionally come up short against physically dominated sides, and will want to prove that they can beat the most physically changeling sides out there.
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With selection dilemas across the pitch ahead of Saturday’s clash, here is who should start for Ireland against South Africa.
Front Row: Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong
The battle of the front row could be the deciding factor in the game, with South Africa’s scrum a huge weapon for them. Porter has firmly established himself as the number one loosehead prop under Andy Farrell and will start barring injury.
Dan Sheehan now has a firm grip on the hooker jersey after a huge tour in New Zealand and a brilliant start to the season with Leinster. While Furlong may be short on game time, on his day he is one of the best players in the world and will be key to victory.
Yes. That's right. 4️⃣ tries from a hooker 👊
Who can knock Dan Sheehan off from his No.1️⃣ URC Top 100 position? 👀#BKTURC #URC | #LEIvBEN | #URCTop100 | @LeinsterRugby pic.twitter.com/Zmquud2Sau— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) September 23, 2022
Second Row: James Ryan And Tadhg Beirne
After failing to get a solid run in the Ireland side over the last few years, Tadhg Beirne has established himself as one of the first names on the team sheet over the last 12 months, with his work at the breakdown may be crucial to Ireland’s chances of victory on Sunday.
16 July 2022; Tadhg Beirne of Ireland celebrates after the Steinlager Series match between the New Zealand and Ireland at Sky Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
After being plagued with injuries, James Ryan has shown signs of his 2018 form with a solid start to the season with Leinster
Back Row: Caelan Doris, Josh Van Der Flier and Jack Conan
Arguably Ireland’s most competitive area on the pitch, Andy Farrell will have is hands full when selecting this area on the pitch.
Calen Doris goes from strength to strength, and may start the game at six, with Jack Conan starting at number eight just ahead of Peter O’Mahony. Josh Van Der Flier has brought his game on to another level in 2022 and will need a big performance once again this weekend.
Half Back: Jamison Gibson Park And Johnny Sexton
A problem area for Ireland is scrum-half, with Jamison Gibson Park having not yet played for Ireland this season. He has been the first choice option over the last 18 months under Andy Farrell, and will likely start if fit this Saturday.
Craig Casey has been the more impressive of himself and Conor Murray this season, with Farrell having a difficult choice to make if Gibson-Park is unavailable.
At 37 Johnny Sexton is still by far Ireland's best option at fly-half.
Centres: Robbie Henshaw And Garry Ringrose
Bundee Aki’s suspension makes this selection easier then previous international camps, with the Leinster duo in top form heading into Saturday’s game. Ulster’s Stuart McCloskey will be on standby after his great start to the season.
A thriller at the RDS. After the visitors split Leinster open again, Garry Ringrose grabs his second try after a beautiful piece of skill from Robbie Henshaw. #LEIvSHA #BKTURC
HT: Leinster 21-20 Sharks
📺 Live on RTÉ2
💻 https://t.co/CStwnXf2cB
📱 https://t.co/vTeSwye8Ra pic.twitter.com/2HduJXqYCo— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) October 8, 2022
Back Three: Mack Hansen, Hugo Keenan/Mike Lowry And Robert Baloucoune.
Ireland have several injuries across the back three, with James Lowe, Andrew Conway and Keith Earls all ruled out through injury. On the left wing, Mack Hansen has more than proved he’s of international quality and is hitting form at just the right time.
At full back, Hugo Keenan is yet to play for Leinster this season due to injury, but has been included in the squad. The Leinster full-back hasn’t put a foot wrong since is debut in 2020, and will start if fit. Mike Lowry deserves a chance at full-back at some point in this series and is more than capable to fill in if Keenan is ruled out.
On the right wing, Robert Baloucoune should be given his opportunity to shine on the international stage. His performances for Ulster have more then earned a starting spot, and would have had more caps to his name if it wasn’t for injuries and competition for places.
Robert Baloucoune shows his speed once again to score Ulster's fifth try and his second of the night #RTERugby #ULSvCAR #URC
📺 Watch - https://t.co/zlgeL55JIO
📱 Updates - https://t.co/ILxQ08P7FD pic.twitter.com/dciLhL9jLP— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) March 4, 2022
Replacements: Jeremy Loughman, Rob Herring, Finlay Bealham, Kieran Treadwell, Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray, Joey Carbery And Stuart McCloskey.
While it may be harsh on Cian Healy, Ireland have a big problem at depth at loosehead, and there may be no time better than Saturday to give Jeremy Loughman some vital experience on the international stage.
Ryan Baird and Joe McCarthy may be worth a shot among the replacements, but Treadwell should be rewarded for his performances in New Zealand.
Peter O’Mahony always delivers on the biggest stage and will look to put his early season troubles behind him, while Joey Carbery will battle Ciarán Frawley as Sexton’s replacement.
