Andy Farrell has named his Ireland team to face the All Blacks this Saturday at Eden Park in the first test of their three-game series.
Keith Earls, who played 80 minutes in the 32-17 defeat to the Maori All Blacks on Wednesday, is favoured over Jordan Larmour and starts on the wing.
29 June 2022; Ireland v New Zealand; Ireland players, from left, Niall Scannell, Jordan Larmour, Joey Carbery, Keith Earls and Ryan Baird after the match between the Maori All Blacks and Ireland at the FMG Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Cian Healy, who was carted off the pitch during that game in Hamilton, and looked to be in real pain, has recovered to take a spot on the bench. The other notable selection is Peter O'Mahony starting at blindside. Otherwise, it is an Ireland team picked along expected lines.
Ireland team to play All Blacks
15. Hugo Keenan
14. Keith Earls
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Robbie Henshaw
11. James Lowe
10. Johnny Sexton (Captain)
9. Jamison Gibson Park
1. Andrew Porter
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Tadhg Beirne
5. James Ryan
6. Peter O’Mahony
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Caelan Doris
Replacements
16. Dave Heffernan
17. Finlay Bealham
18. Cian Healy
19. Kieran Treadwell
20. Jack Conan
21. Conor Murray
22. Joey Carbery
23. Bundee Aki
30 June 2022; Ireland captain, second from left, during Ireland rugby squad training at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand ahead of the first test against the All Blacks. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
It is unquestionably the strongest position an Ireland team has been in when facing the All Blacks away from home as they look for their first win on New Zealand soil. The closest they have come are narrow losses in 1992 and 2012. From that game in 2012, only Sexton and Keith Earls remain.
The first test between Ireland and the All Blacks kicks off at 8:05am on Saturday, July 2nd at Eden Park in Auckland. The second test is on July 9th at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, and the third at Sky Stadium in Wellington on July 16th. There is also a second game against the Maori All Blacks on July 12th in Wellington.
SEE ALSO: Farrell Responds To Questions Over Loughman HIA After Heavy Maori Loss
