Ireland vs Fiji: kick-off time, TV channel, team news

What?

Following a momentous win over the world champions South Africa, Ireland return to action a week later as Fiji come to town. The two countries have met four times in all, Ireland taking home the win on each occasion.

The last time they played each other, also at the Aviva Stadium in 2017, a Joe Schmidt-coached Ireland needed a late Joey Carbery penalty to bail them out of trouble and secure a narrow 23-20 win.

This time around, Ireland are clearly coming into this clash on the back of good form following last weekend’s win. Andy Farrell is expected to rotate his squad with the likes of Jack Crowley and Craig Casey likely to be involved in the matchday 23, while there could be experienced players involved with the likes of Robbie Henshaw returning to training after missing the South Africa game with a hamstring injury.

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England fail to find another comeback as South Africa ease to victory at Twickenham

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As for Fiji, they gave Scotland a bit of a scare in Murrayfield last week, holding a first half lead before ultimately succumbing to a 28-12 defeat.

[ Scotland pull clear in the second half to beat Fiji at Murrayfield ]

Where & When?

Saturday, November 12th. 1.30pm kick-off at the Aviva Stadium.

Can I watch?

As for last weekend, Virgin Media is the free-to-air option while Amazon Prime also have the broadcast rights. The Irish Times will also have a live-blog of the game which gets going around half-an-hour before kick-off.

[ Autumn Nations Series: Ireland 19 South Africa 16 (full-time) ]

Can I go?

It took a bit longer than the Springboks game, but Fiji still has a significant draw as the game is nonetheless a sell-out.

What are the bookies saying?

Ireland are 28-point favourites.

Team News

In all, Andy Farrell has made nine changes to the starting XV that beat South Africa. In the absence of a rested Johnny Sexton, Tadhg Furlong will lead Ireland out as captain. He starts in the frontrow alongside debutant Jeremy Loughman and Rob Herring.

[ Tadhg Furlong to captain Ireland against Fiji ]

[ Jeremy Loughman set for Ireland debut against Fiji after circuitous route to the top ]

Iain Henderson is not ready to return from injury yet, so fellow Ulsterman Kieran Treadwell packs down with Tadhg Beirne in the secondrow. Caelan Doris starts but shifts to blindside flanker alongside Nick Timoney and Jack Conan.

Jamison Gibson-Park and Joey Carbery are the halfbacks, while Stuart McCloskey and Robbie Henshaw have both recovered from injuries to start in a strong centre pairing. Robert Baloucoune and Mack Hansen once again line out on the wings while Jimmy O’Brien is rewarded for his lengthy cameo off the bench last week with a start at fullback.

Jack Crowley and Cian Prendergast are set for senior debuts off the bench.

Ireland: Jimmy O’Brien (Leinster); Robert Baloucoune (Ulster), Robbie Henshaw (Leinster), Stuart McCloskey (Ulster), Mack Hansen (Connacht); Joey Carbery (Munster), Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster); Jeremy Loughman (Munster), Rob Herring (Ulster), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster, Capt); Kieran Treadwell (Ulster), Tadhg Beirne (Munster); Caelan Doris (Leinster), Nick Timoney (Ulster), Jack Conan (Leinster).

Replacements: Dan Sheehan (Leinster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Tom O’Toole (Ulster), Cian Prendergast (Connacht), Max Deegan (Leinster), Craig Casey (Munster), Jack Crowley (Munster), Garry Ringrose (Leinster).