Thursday, November 21, 2024

Ireland v New Zealand: Tadhg Furlong ruled out of Dublin Test but Ronan Kelleher starts

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While British and Irish Lions prop Furlong’s absence is a considerable loss to Ireland’s pack, head coach Andy Farrell welcomes back several of his backline players.

Full-back Hugo Keenan returns after his involvement with Ireland’s Olympic sevens team, while Jamison Gibson-Park is restored at scrum-half after injury ruled him out of the summer Test series in South Africa.

Mack Hansen, who missed the Six Nations and Springbok series because of a shoulder injury, starts on the right wing with Calvin Nash on the bench.

Jack Crowley is retained at fly-half while Garry Ringrose and Bundee Aki are named in midfield.

Joe McCarthy and James Ryan line up in the second row, with Tadhg Beirne and Josh van der Flier alongside Doris in the back row.

Ulster’s Rob Herring, who has not played yet this season, provides the hooker cover from the bench with Conor Murray, Ciaran Frawley and Jamie Osborne selected as the backline replacements.

After Friday’s much-anticipated rematch with the All Blacks, Ireland host Argentina, Fiji and Australia during their autumn campaign.

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