When is it on?
Ireland are playing Fiji at 3.10pm on Saturday at the Aviva Stadium in the Autumn Nations Series. It is the first Saturday game of the series after two Friday night encounters.
How can I watch it?
You can watch the game on Virgin Media One, coverage starts at 2.30pm. In the North, you can watch it on TNT Sports, with coverage from 3pm. You can also follow live coverage on the Irish Times website via a live blog.
What is the history between the two teams?
Although Fiji have never beaten Ireland in rugby, some games were closer than others, most notably in 2017 when Ireland won quite fortuitously by a 23-20 margin, while in 2002 Ireland put 64 points on Fiji in a match that saw Brian O’Driscoll equalling the try-scoring record. Fiji are considered a stronger team these days at ninth in the world rankings.
How has the Autumn Nations Series gone so far?
Ireland were disappointing in their opening game against New Zealand, losing 23-13 and their world number one spot in the process. They bounced back from that defeat to narrowly beat Argentina 22-19 last Friday.
For Fiji, it began with a sobering 57-17 defeat to Scotland, the most points they had conceded in a game for more than three years, but with a significant caveat as it fell outside the start of the November Test window, meaning they were without all bar one of their France- and England-based players.
[ Improved structure for domestic game means Fiji more potent than everOpens in new window ]
Back to full strength, they recovered with wins against Wales and Spain, building on their Pacific Nations Cup victory in the autumn.
Are Fiji now capable of beating Ireland for the first time in their history?
Team news
Andy Farrell has given Test debuts to the 21-year-old Leinster hooker Gus McCarthy and the 24-year-old Ulster flanker Cormac Izuchukwu in making seven changes to the Ireland starting line-up.
Sam Prendergast make his full Test debut after playing the last 18 minutes of Ireland’s 22-19 win over Argentina last Friday. Jamie Osborne, who made his international debut when seamlessly replacing Hugo Keenan for both Tests last summer in South Africa, returns at fullback.
Jacob Stockdale has been rewarded for his try-scoring form in an Ulster jersey with a recall on the left wing to earn his 38th cap, while Bundee Aki also returns to midfield, with Robbie Henshaw shifting to outside centre.
Craig Casey starts at scrumhalf, while McCarthy and Izuchukwu are the two changes in personnel up front, with Tadhg Beirne reverting to the secondrow in a positional switch.
Save for the retention of Thomas Clarkson, one of two debutants last week, it is a completely rejigged bench, with Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson, Conor Murray, Ciaran Frawley and Stuart McCloskey all returning. So too does the Connacht captain Cian Prendergast to earn his fourth cap. Farrell has rested Keenan, Garry Ringrose, James Lowe, Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park and James Ryan, while Cian Healy will have to wait another week to eclipse Brian O’Driscoll as Ireland’s most capped player of all time.
IRELAND: Jamie Osborne (Leinster); Mack Hansen (Connacht), Robbie Henshaw (Leinster), Bundee Aki (Connacht), Jacob Stockdale (Ulster); Sam Prendergast (Leinster), Craig Casey (Munster); Andrew Porter (Leinster), Gus McCarthy (Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Connacht); Joe McCarthy (Leinster), Tadhg Beirne (Munster); Cormac Izuchukwu (Ulster), Josh van der Flier (Leinster), Caelan Doris (Leinster, capt).
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher (Leinster), Tom O’Toole (Ulster), Thomas Clarkson (Leinster), Iain Henderson (Ulster), Cian Prendergast (Connacht), Conor Murray (Munster), Ciarán Frawley (Leinster), Stuart McCloskey (Ulster).
Fiji head coach Mick Byrne has made three changes to the starting team from the Fiji side that beat Wales 24-19 a fortnight ago. Ponipate Loganimasi replaces marquee player Semi Radrada who is suspended following his sending off in the Welsh match.
FIJI: V Karawalevu; J Wainiqolo, W Nayacalevu (capt), J Tuisova, P Loganimasi; C Muntz, F Lomani; E Mawi, T Ikanivere, L Tagi; M Vocevoce, T Mayanavanua; R Derenalagi, K Salawa, E Canakaivata. Replacements: S Matavesi, H Hetet, S Tawake, S Turagacoke, A Tuisue, P Matawalu, V Botitu, S Maqala.
Are tickets still available?
No, tickets are no longer available on general sale, only available if sold in the resale market.
What is the weather?
Showers are expected in the morning, but may clear up by kick-off time. It will be windy however, with gusts of up to almost 60km/h, which should make kicking tricky.
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