Keith Earls to Captain Ireland against Maori All Blacks
11th July 2022 By The Editor
Keith Earls during the training
Andy Farrell has announced the Ireland side that will play against the Māori All Blacks in the Sky Stadium in Wellington on Tuesday (Kick-off 7.05pm NZ time/8.05am Irish time).
Keith Earls will captain Ireland for the first time as Ireland seek to square the Series against the Māori All Blacks having lost the first fixture in Hamilton.
Michael Lowry is introduced at fullback with Jimmy O’Brien switching to the left wing and Jordan Larmour is on the right.
Craig Casey and Ciaran Frawley are retained at half-back while Stuart McCloskey comes into partner Earls in the midfield.
The front row consists of Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell and Tom O’Toole with Joe McCarthy and Kieran Treadwell named at lock.
The backrow from the first game against the Māori is retained with Cian Prendergast at 6, Nick Timoney at 7 and Gavin Coombes at No.8.
The replacements include Rob Herring, Ed Byrne, Finlay Bealham, Ryan Baird, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Joey Carbery and Mack Hansen.
The game will be televised live by SKY Sports at 8.05am Irish time.
Ireland Team
15. Michael Lowry (Banbridge/Ulster) 1 cap
14. Jordan Larmour (St. Mary’s College/Leinster) 30 caps
13. Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster) (capt) 97 caps
12. Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/Ulster) 6 caps
11. Jimmy O’Brien (Naas/Leinster)
10. Ciaran Frawley (Skerries/Leinster)
9. Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster) 5 caps
1. Jeremy Loughman (Garryowen/Munster)
2. Niall Scannell (Dolphin/Munster) 20 caps
3. Tom O’Toole (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 2 caps
4. Joe McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster)
5. Kieran Treadwell (Ballymena/Ulster) 7 caps
6. Cian Prendergast (Connacht)
7. Nick Timoney (Banbridge/Ulster) 2 caps
8. Gavin Coombes (Young Munster/Munster) 2 caps
Replacements
16. Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 27 caps
17. Ed Byrne (UCD/Leinster) 6 caps
18. Finlay Bealham (Buccaneers/Connacht) 24 caps
19. Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster) 8 caps
20. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster) 29 caps
21. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) 98 caps
22. Joey Carbery (Clontarf/Munster) 34 caps
23. Mack Hansen (Connacht) 5 caps