Nov 24,2024
It's just over two years since Andy Farrell was left venting his frustrations over his side’s sluggishness in a 35-17 win against Fiji.
A week after defeating South Africa at the Aviva, a combination of injuries and some desire to rotate the squad around contributed to nine changes to the starting team for the visit of the Fijians, and while Ireland were comfortable winners that afternoon, his side looked rudderless at times, particularly in the absence of Johnny Sexton.
"As far as the performance is concerned, pretty underwhelming," was Farrell’s assessment, and he followed through on those words.
That game marked the end of Joey Carbery in an Ireland shirt. When Jack Crowley replaced his then Munster team-mate early in the second half, we didn't realise at the time it would be for good.
Likewise, Robert Baloucoune hasn't been in an Ireland team since, while Kieran Treadwell has also fallen long down the depth chart, only playing a few minutes in a pre-World Cup friendly.
It’s a game that’s been referred back to on several occasions in the last couple of years, and is a cautionary tale for those given their opportunity to impress this afternoon, as the Fijians return to town.
With this being the third of four games in a row for Farrell’s side this month, the Ireland coach doesn’t have the luxury of selecting his strongest XV every week, and so he’s rejigged his squad this afternoon, with seven changes, two of which are making debuts, and another who is set for his first Irish start.
Having earned a first cap off the bench last week, Sam Prendergast (above) is in from the start, the same opposition Crowley debuted against back in 2022.
While Ireland didn’t score during his time on the pitch last week, the 21-year-old did impress in his cameo against Argentina, and has been given the keys to the Irish backline this weekend, as Farrell looks to push on the development of the former Ireland U20 star.
He will have his hands full against a Fijian side who will almost certainly look to target him defensively, particularly with Racing 92’s Josua Tuisova at inside centre.
Prendergast only has to look back on Ireland’s last two games against the Pacific Islanders to get a sense of the physicality they bring; in the 2022 meeting Carbery’s afternoon was ended by a head-high challenge from Albert Tuisue which yielded a red card, while the previous game between them in 2017 saw Carbery depart with a fractured arm.
With that in mind, the selection of Bundee Aki at inside centre seems pointed, with the Connacht man set to act as an enforcer for the young out-half, and Farrell has also wisely put experienced options alongside his two other debutants.
Cormac Izuchukwu will cap off an incredible rise in 2024 when he earns his first cap. The 24-year-old, whose route into professional rugby brought him to Kelso in Scotland, Newcastle and then back to Ireland through the Sevens programme, had been earmarked as a prospect for the last four years, but it’s only in the last eight months that the Offaly man’s career has fully clicked.
After travelling to South Africa for Ireland’s summer tour, the versatile forward has impressed enough to go straight into the starting team on debut, where he plays alongside captain Caelan Doris and Josh van der Flier.
Similarly, hooker Gus McCarthy has been surrounded with Test experience, packing down cheek-by-cheek in the front row with Andrew Porter and Finlay Bealham, who boast a combined 112 caps.
At 21 years and four months old, he’s the youngest player to make his debut for Ireland since Jordan Larmour (20 years and eight months) against Italy in the 2018 Six Nations.
Had it not been for injuries, the former Ireland U20 captain would arguably have been the fifth choice hooker at Leinster, let alone nationally, but with Dan Sheehan, Rónan Kelleher, John McKee and Lee Barron all picking up injuries in recent months, it’s thrust McCarthy into a prominent role, and he answered every question that has been asked of him.
Last week’s game against Spain allowed Fiji to rotate their squad, and head coach Mick Byrne has made eight changes with Tuisova (above), scrum-half Frank Lomani and hooker Tevita Ikanivere among those to return.
Ireland’s win against Argentina was an improvement on the previous week’s defeat to New Zealand, but Farrell’s side are still looking several levels below their best at the moment. One of the main reasons for that is their indiscipline, which is stalling their momentum and allowing their opponents back into the game.
The fact that they have conceded 54 points alone from penalty kicks in the last three games speaks volumes for their indiscipline, but the timing of those penalties in particular is cause for concern.
While Ireland are generally starting games well, the mid-section of contests is where it’s unravelling. Of the 95 penalties they have conceded in 2024, 32.6% have been in the ten minutes either side of half time. By comparison, world champions South Africa’s total in that period is 23.1%.
From an individual point of view, Ireland also have to address the source of the penalties. Between them, Andrew Porter and Joe McCarthy have combined to concede 24 in nine Tests this year, which amounts to 25.2% of Ireland’s total.
There is context to that number, with Porter and McCarthy being two of Ireland’s physical enforcers, and likely given more licence to test a referee's patience, but that number is simply far too high to be sustainable.
This is only the sixth official meeting of the sides, with all five going the way of Ireland.
In spite of that, Fiji have made it clear they are here to cause at upset, and that fighting talk will surely have caused the ears to prick up over at the IRFU high performance centre in Blanchardstown.
The islanders will likely land some blows, as they always do, but even allowing for Ireland's patchy recent form, it would take something special for them to claim a first ever win in Dublin.
Verdict: Ireland
Ireland: Jamie Osborne; Mack Hansen, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale; Sam Prendergast, Craig Casey; Andrew Porter, Gus McCarthy, Finlay Bealham; Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne; Cormac Izuchukwu, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt).
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Tom O'Toole, Thomas Clarkson, Iain Henderson, Cian Prendergast, Conor Murray, Ciarán Frawley, Stuart McCloskey.
Fiji: Vuate Karawalevu; Jiuta Wainiqolo, Waisea Nayacalevu (co-capt), Josua Tuisova, Ponipate Loganimasi; Caleb Muntz, Frank Lomani; Eroni Mawi, Tevita Ikanivere (co-capt), Luke Tagi; Mesake Vocevoce, Temo Mayanavanua; Ratu Meli Derenalagi, Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata.
Replacements: Sam Matavesi, Haereiti Hetet, Samu Tawake, Satareki Turagacoke, Albert Tuisue, Peni Matawalu, Vilmoni Botitu, Sireli Maqala.
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
