DUBLIN (Reuters) – Ireland coach Andy Farrell handed a number of fringe players the chance to stake a claim for a World Cup place in Saturday’s warm-up against Italy while also including some Grand Slam winners to try to extend a 10-game winning streak.
With captain Johnny Sexton suspended for all three warm-up games, in form Jack Crowley gets a valuable second start at flyhalf beside Munster halfback partner Craig Casey, who has so far only started in two of his 10 Irish appearances.
While Keith Earls and Jacob Stockdale will offer far more experience out wide, both face a battle for a place on the plane with the 98-cap Earls set to turn 36 during the tournament and Stockdale out of favour after tearing onto the scene before the last World Cup.
Robbie Henshaw and Stuart McCloskey are all but guaranteed a place in France and start in midfield, while the backrow also has a familiar look with Jack Conan and Caelan Doris.
Ryan Baird’s first start as flanker rather than lock offers a hint of the kind of versatility Farrell will likely prioritise when trimming his squad down to 33 players.
Leinster second row Joe McCarthy also earns a first start and second cap, with the Connacht pair of Cian Prendergast and Caolin Blade looking to add to their single cap each from the bench, where they are joined by potential debutants Tom Stewart, Ciaran Frawley and Calvin Nash.
Team: 15. Jimmy O’Brien, 14. Keith Earls, 13. Robbie Henshaw, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 11. Jacob Stockdale, 10. Jack Crowley, 9. Craig Casey, 8. Jack Conan, 7. Caelan Doris, 6. Ryan Baird, 5. Joe McCarthy, 4. Iain Henderson, 3. Tom O’Toole, 2. Rob Herring, 1. David Kilcoyne.
Replacements: 16. Tom Stewart, 17. Cian Healy, 18. Tadhg Furlong, 19. Tadhg Beirne, 20. Cian Prendergast, 21- Caolin Blade, 22. Ciaran Frawley, 23. Calvin Nash.
(Reporting by Padraic Halpin)
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