Gallagher Cup: Ireland v New Zealand

Memories of the historic 2016 win will come flooding back today when Ireland emerge from the tunnel for the Gallagher Cup showdown with New Zealand at Chicago’s Soldier Field (kick-off 3.10pm local time/8.10pm Irish time).

Ireland’s November international opener is live on Virgin Media One and TNT Sports in the Republic of Ireland, TNT Sports in the United Kingdom, and available to stream on irishrugby+ for supporters in countries where there is no broadcaster. Full details are available here.

GALLAGHER CUP MATCH:

Saturday, November 1 –

IRELAND v NEW ZEALAND, Soldier Field, 3.10pm local time/8.15pm Irish time (live Virgin Media One/TNT Sports/irishrugby+/BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra/BBC Radio Ulster/BBC Sounds/IRFU Live Blog)

Team News: Ireland kick off a busy block of autumn fixtures with a Stateside rematch with New Zealand, as head coach Andy Farrell and a number of players return to international duty following the summer’s successful British & Irish Lions tour.

Dan Sheehan will captain his country for the second time, with this being the third occasion Ireland have played at Soldier Field where they so memorable beat the All Blacks in 2016 (40-29) and Italy in 2018 (54-7).

Leinster prop Paddy McCarthy is in line for his Test debut off the bench, while the replacements also notably include Ireland’s regular captain Caelan Doris who is set to make his return from a shoulder injury he suffered in early May.

Jamie Osborne, Tommy O’Brien, and James Lowe feature together in the back-three, as right winger O’Brien looks to build on his first two international appearances in July when he scored four tries against Georgia and Portugal.

Following an impressive start to the season, Ulster’s Stuart McCloskey partners Garry Ringrose in midfield. Jack Crowley, who is also in a rich vein of form, will combine with Jamison Gibson-Park at half-back.

In the pack, Andrew Porter, Sheehan, and Tadhg Furlong make up a familiar and formidable front row, backed up by James Ryan and Tadhg Beirne, the Lions’ Player of the Series, in the engine room.

Retaining the number 6 jersey from the summer tour, Ryan Baird wins his 30th Ireland cap, with the game marking his tenth Test start. The back row is completed by Josh van der Flier and number 8 Jack Conan, who makes his seasonal debut.

The Ireland coaches have strong options on the bench with Rónan Kelleher, the uncapped McCarthy, Finlay Bealham, Iain Henderson, and the returning Doris the forward replacements, while Craig Casey, Sam Prendergast, and Bundee Aki provide the back-line reinforcements.

Looking forward to the sold-out Gallagher Cup encounter, Farrell said: “It is a real privilege to be back here in Chicago ahead of a huge game against New Zealand.

“We’ve been received brilliantly by the local community and there are going to be thousands of Irish supporters cheering us on which is something that will inspire the team.

“The clashes with New Zealand over the years have been fantastic occasions and we’re expecting more of the same on Saturday.

“The historic nature of this game is something we are embracing, and there’s great excitement in the squad, not least for Paddy McCarthy who is set to make his international debut this weekend.

“Paddy has made a great start to the season and his selection is testament to his impressive form. We wish him well and will all do our utmost to make it a special weekend for him and his family.”

Meanwhile, the selected New Zealand team shows four changes to the side that beat Australia 28-14 in Perth in the final round of the Rugby Championship in early October.

Highlanders prop Ethan de Groot returns from concussion to join Fletcher Newell and Codie Taylor in the front row. Tamaiti Williams reverts to the bench for an impact role, alongside Pasilio Tosi and Samisoni Taukei’aho.

The only other change to the forwards is among the replacements, with Chiefs lock Josh Lord coming into the matchday 23 to replace the injured Patrick Tuipulotu.

In the backs, the 141-times capped Beauden Barrett returns from a shoulder injury to start at out-half, and Caleb Clarke has recovered from an ankle problem to fill the left wing berth. Damian McKenzie and Leicester Fainga’anuku both make way.

All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson said the squad has prepared well in Chicago this week for what they know will be a tough match against Ireland.

“This is an awesome match to kick off our northern tour with. Ireland are a strong side and will have a loud contingent of supporters here in Chicago, so we are prepared for a passionate clash on the Soldier Field stage,” he acknowledged.

“We have had a great week together leading up to the Test, and now we are looking forward to the contest on Saturday afternoon.”

IRELAND: Jamie Osborne (Naas RFC/Leinster); Tommy O’Brien (UCD RFC/Leinster), Garry Ringrose (UCD RFC/Leinster), Stuart McCloskey (Bangor RFC/Ulster), James Lowe (Leinster); Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution FC/Munster), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster); Andrew Porter (UCD RFC/Leinster), Dan Sheehan (Lansdowne FC/Leinster) (capt), Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf FC/Leinster), James Ryan (UCD RFC/Leinster), Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne FC/Munster), Ryan Baird (Dublin University FC/Leinster), Josh van der Flier (UCD RFC/Leinster), Jack Conan (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster).

Replacements: Rónan Kelleher (Lansdowne FC/Leinster), Paddy McCarthy (Dublin University FC/Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht), Iain Henderson (Academy RFC/Ulster), Caelan Doris (St. Mary’s College RFC/Leinster), Craig Casey (Shannon RFC/Munster), Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne FC/Leinster), Bundee Aki (Galwegians RFC/Connacht).

NEW ZEALAND: Will Jordan (Tasman/Crusaders); Leroy Carter (Bay of Plenty/Chiefs), Quinn Tupaea (Waikato/Chiefs), Jordie Barrett (Taranaki/Hurricanes), Caleb Clarke (Auckland/Blues); Beauden Barrett (Taranaki/Blues), Cam Roigard (Counties Manukau/Hurricanes); Ethan de Groot (Southland/Highlanders), Codie Taylor (Canterbury/Crusaders), Fletcher Newell (Canterbury/Crusaders), Scott Barrett (Taranaki/Crusaders) (capt), Fabian Holland (Otago/Highlanders), Simon Parker (Northland/Chiefs), Ardie Savea (Wellington/Moana Pasifika), Peter Lakai (Wellington/Hurricanes).

Replacements: Samisoni Taukei’aho (Waikato/Chiefs), Tamaiti Williams (Canterbury/Crusaders), Pasilio Tosi (Bay of Plenty/Hurricanes), Josh Lord (Taranaki/Chiefs), Wallace Sititi (North Harbour/Chiefs), Cortez Ratima (Waikato/Chiefs), Leicester Fainga’anuku (Tasman/Crusaders), Damian McKenzie (Waikato/Chiefs).

Referee: Pierre Brousset (FFR)
Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (RFU), Luc Ramos (FFR)
TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
FPRO: Dan Jones (RFU)

Pre-Match Quotes: Dan Sheehan (Ireland) –

I’ve seen a good bit that we might be undercooked, but I don’t think it’s a massive part. I think the way we’ve prepped over the last two weeks has been through real tough training (sessions) and we can take confidence from that and how we trained.

“Obviously a few lads have played a bit more game-time, but I think people are good and refreshed bodies ready to rip into Saturday.

“I think how we start tomorrow will be big. I think anytime we’ve gone well against New Zealand, we’ve had a good start and sort of apply the pressure rather than react to them.

“But (it’s) professional sport so it could go either way and we just need to be able to switch momentum if we have to, or keep momentum if we have it.

“I think where we play the game and not overplaying in our own half and stuff like that will be a big part.”

Scott Barrett (New Zealand) –

Their game for the last ten years has been built around their pack and their ability to play and their skillset. They’ve a high work-rate and the challenge for defence is multi-phase so that’s been a big focus for us.

“It’s about intensity really. Whoever sets that first and starts well will go a long way to winning the Test match.

“A huge part of this tour and certainly tomorrow night is around defence, shutting down Ireland. That’s been a big focus for us but obviously what we can do with the ball in hand as well.

“Yeah, Jordie has provided a couple of gems (from his time at Leinster) this week around them, around their game and ultimately that they love to beat the All Blacks. I won’t give away too many trade secrets but he’s let us in on a couple.”

Pre-Match Links –

Recent Meetings –

2022: Summer Tour – First Test: New Zealand 42 Ireland 19, Eden Park; Second Test: New Zealand 12 Ireland 23, Forsyth Barr Stadium; Third Test: New Zealand 22 Ireland 32, Sky Stadium

2023: Rugby World Cup Quarter-Final: Ireland 24 New Zealand 28, Stade de France

2024: Autumn Nations Series: Ireland 13 New Zealand 23, Aviva Stadium

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