Sports

Ireland set to be without 78-cap forward for All Blacks showdown

Ireland could be without experienced prop Tadhg Furlong for their Autumn Nations Series fixture with the All Blacks at the Aviva Stadium on Friday night.

According to a report, the 31-year-old star has suffered an injury and is set to be absent for the Dublin clash in a significant setback for head coach Andy Farrell.

The42.ie state Furlong could miss the mouth-watering match and if that is the case then Connacht prop Finlay Bealham would be the likely replacement up front.

Furlong ruled out?

If Bealham does get the nod in the number three spot then Ulster’s Tom O’Toole is set for a bench role in what is a 2023 World Cup rematch against the All Blacks.

Ireland head coach Farrell is expected to announce his team to face New Zealand at 2pm on Wednesday while New Zealand will unveil their side at 4pm local time.

Farrell has several selection headaches ahead of the fixture, not least whether to stick with Tadhg Beirne at blindside flank ahead of veteran Peter O’Mahony, 35.

Hooker has been a problem area in terms of injuries in the lead-up to the game, with Dan Sheehan and Rob Herring out but Ronan Kelleher is expected to be fit.

In the backline Farrell must decide whether to keep Calvin Nash on the right wing or recall Mack Hansen while Jacob Stockdale has been in great form for Ulster.

Elsewhere, the settled side pretty much picks itself as Hugo Keenan’s return from Sevens duty is a welcome fillip ahead of Ireland’s Autumn Nations Series charge.

De Groot recall

Meanwhile, New Zealand are expected to recall prop Ethan De Groot for Friday’s game after he missed the Test with England due to a breach of their team protocols.

As mentioned, Ireland and New Zealand last clashed in the 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris, which the All Blacks famously won 28-24 at the Stade de France.

After facing the All Blacks, Ireland will take on Argentina (Friday, November 15), Fiji (Saturday, November 23) and then finally Australia on Saturday, November 30.

Related Posts

‘Single handedly carried that team’: Ex-All Black questions Damian McKenzie’s selection in world XV

Former All Black fullback Israel Dagg has questioned the selection of Damian McKenzie in the dream 15 international team of the year at the World Rugby awards. McKenzie started the first eight…

Jordie Barrett may make Leinster bow against Bristol Bears

Jordie Barrett may make his Leinster debut as soon as next week’s Champions Cup clash with Bristol Bears. The New Zealand centre has joined Leinster on a contract…

All Blacks’ political protest in haka was wrong call – it has divided the nation, and game must be the priority

“Republicans buy sneakers too.” Ideally, that’s all I really want to say about TJ Perenara using the All Blacks haka for political purposes and a variety of players…

David Campese’s Autumn Nations Series Team of the Week: ‘Immense’ Springboks star features along with my British and Irish Lions picks

Following a gripping weekend of Autumn Nations Series action, Wallabies great David Campese selects his Team of the Week. “Firstly, I’d just like to thank the Scottish Rugby…

Christian Horner plantea un problema crítico de GM: “No lo estamos pagando”

El paddock de Fórmula 1 ha estado repleto de rumores sobre la posible entrada de General Motors en el deporte, pero hay muchas preguntas sobre esta iniciativa aquí…

Clasificación de puntos de todos los tiempos de F1: ¿Dónde están Hamilton, Verstappen y Alonso?

La actual generación de pilotos de Fórmula 1 en la parrilla se encuentra entre los que más puntos han conseguido en toda la historia de este deporte, en…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *