Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has made nine changes ahead of Saturday’s Nations Championship clash with New Zealand as he brings out his big guns once again.
Only six of the men who started last weekend’s 36-20 win over Japan have been retained with Tadhg Beirne, who captained the side from the second row against the Brave Blossoms, switching to openside flanker in the wake of skipper Dan Sheehan’s return to the front row alongside Tom O’Toole and Tadhg Furlong.
Joe McCarthy will partner James Ryan at lock with Josh van der Flier at openside and Jack Conan lining up at number eight at Eden Park in Auckland.
Hugo Keenan returns at full-back with Robert Baloucoune and Jimmy O’Brien on the wings and Garry Ringrose and Stuart McCloskey in midfield, while Jamison Gibson-Park and Sam Prendergast combine at half-back.
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) July 15, 2026
Ireland team to play New Zealand in Nations Championship
Forwards: 1 Tom O'Toole (Ulster) 2 Dan Sheehan (CAPTAIN, Leinster) 3 Tadhg Furlong (Leinster) 4 Joe McCarthy (Leinster) 5 James Ryan (Leinster) 6 Tadhg Beirne (Munster) 7 Josh van der Flier (Leinster) 8 Jack Conan (Leinster)
Backs: 9 Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster) 10 Sam Prendergast (Leinster) 11 Jimmy O'Brien (Leinster) 12 Stuart McCloskey (Ulster) 13 Garry Ringrose (Leinster) 14 Robert Baloucoune (Ulster) 15 Hugo Keenan (Leinster)
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher (Leinster) 17 Jeremy Loughman (Munster) 18 Thomas Clarkson (Leinster) 19 Nick Timoney (Ulster) 20 Sean Jansen (Connacht) 21 Craig Casey (Munster) 22 Ciaran Frawley (Leinster) 23 Bundee Aki (Connacht)