Tullamore man set to make Ireland senior debut
Tullamore's Cormac Izuchukwu is one of two uncapped players named in the Ireland rugby team to play Fiji at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow (Saturday), kick-off 3.10pm.
Izuchukwu has been selected at blindside flanker and is part of a back row that features established stars Josh van der Flier and team captain Caelan Doris.
The 24-year-old Tullamore man, who has shown impressive form for Ulster, was a member of Ireland's summer tour squad to South Africa and the recent Emerging Ireland tour to the same country. Now the former Tullamore RFC player has been rewarded with a senior start.
Leinster hooker and former Ireland U20 Grand Slam winning captain Gus McCarthy is the other debutant for Ireland.
Sam Prendergast is set for his first test match start at fly-half, having featured as a replacement in the win over Argentina last Friday night.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s game, Ireland head coach Andy Farrell said he was happy to give two more debutants an opportunity to impress.
"I’m delighted for Cormac and Gus who have impressed with their work-rate and application over recent weeks and months. They have both performed strongly for their provinces, brought that good form into the recent Emerging Ireland Tour and are now being rewarded for their efforts. We wish them well as they take this exciting next steps in their careers,” he said.
Farrell said there "were signs of improvement" against Argentina but he described Fiji as a talented side "who will be coming over to Dublin full of confidence after their recent displays".
Saturday’s match is live on Virgin Media One, while there is live radio commentary available on RTÉ Radio 1.
Ireland team (v Fiji)
15. Jamie Osborne (Naas/Leinster)(4)
14. Mack Hansen (Corinthians/Connacht)(23)
13. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster)(75)
12. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht)(58)
11. Jacob Stockdale (Lurgan/Ulster)(37)
10. Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster)(1)
9. Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster)(16)
1. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster)(68)
2. Gus McCarthy (UCD/Leinster)
3. Finlay Bealham (Corinthians/Connacht)(44)
4. Joe McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster)(14)
5. Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster)(54)
6. Cormac Izuchukwu (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
7. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster)(66)
8. Caelan Doris (St Mary’s College/Leinster)(45)(captain).
Replacements:
16. Rónan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster)(35)
17. Tom O’Toole (Ballynahinch/Ulster)(14)
18. Thomas Clarkson (Blackrock College/Leinster)(1)
19. Iain Henderson (Academy/Ulster)(82)
20. Cian Prendergast (UCD/Connacht)(3)
21. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)(119)
22. Ciaran Frawley (UCD/Leinster)(7)
23. Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/Ulster)(18).