Ireland v Fiji: Ireland player profiles

Chris Farrell makes his debut while a number of players start a Test for the first time

Chris Farrell makes his Test debut in the Ireland midfield against Fiji. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho

15 Andrew Conway
Age: 26
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 90kg (14st 2lbs)
Caps: 4
Points: 5
He played all his underage representative rugby as a fullback and has worn the jersey with distinction for Munster too. He'll relish this opportunity.

14 Darren Sweetnam
Age: 24
Height: 6'
Weight: 95kg (14st 13lbs)
Caps: 1
Points: 0
A fine cameo on his debut last week against the Springboks as a second half replacement he's quick with nice balance and a step.

13 Chris Farrell
Age: 24
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 110kg (17st 4lbs)
Caps: 0
Points: 0
The Ulster-born, former Grenoble centre who joined Munster last summer, is on debut. There's more to his game than just physical power as he'll look to reinforce today.

12 Stuart McCloskey
Age: 25
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 109kg (17st 1lb)
Caps: 1
Points: 0
He'll form part of the biggest and heaviest midfield ever fielded by Ireland. He deserves his chance as he has been in consistently excellent form for Ulster this season.

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11 Dave Kearney
Age: 28
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 91kg (14st 4lbs)
Caps: 16
Points: 15
His last appearance for Ireland was in a Six Nations game against France in February of last year. He's had a ridiculously tough run with injuries over the last 20 months. This represents a big opportunity.

10 Joey Carbery
Age: 22
Height: 6'
Weight: 88kg (13st 12lbs)
Caps: 5
Points: 10
An extremely accomplished footballer as he showed in his late cameo against the Springboks including nailing a touchline conversion. He'll look to prove today that he can management a game from the get-go.

9 Kieran Marmion
Age:
25
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 85kg (13st 5lbs)
Caps: 17
Points: 15
He's very quick across the ground as he demonstrated in two of Ireland's three late tries against the Springboks, has a good delivery and just needs to polish kicking game.

1 Jack McGrath
Age:
28
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 118kg (18st 8lbs)
Caps: 41
Points: 10
He'll be keen to vent the frustration of missing out on the game against South Africa this evening and proving that he's firmly in the mix to contest for the starting jersey against Argentina.  

2 Rob Herring
Age:
27
Height: 6'
Weight: 106kg (16st 9lbs)
Caps: 2
Points: 5
Having made his debut as an emergency backrow replacement about three and a half years ago he was delighted to mark his second cap in his traditional role at hooker and cap it with a try.

Andrew Porter starts at tighthead against Fiji. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho

3 Andrew Porter
Age:
21
Height: 6'
Weight: 120kg (18st 12lbs)
Caps: 2
Points: 0
The baby of the team and a bonnie one at that, he's handling the switch across the frontrow with an impressive maturity. He's brilliant in the loose, strong, quick and powerful.

4 Ultan Dillane
Age:
24
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 116kg (18st 3lbs)
Caps: 10
Points: 5
He's another who has been unfortunate with injury, reflected in his last cap coming against Italy in a 20-minute cameo in the 2017 Six Nations. He'll be keen to remind everyone of his ability.

5 Devin Toner
Age:
31
Height: 6'10"
Weight: 124kg (19st 7lbs)
Caps: 51
Points: 10
He ran the lineout very well against the Springboks last week and should find it a bit easier against Fiji and the goal will be to nick a few on the opposition throw.

6 Rhys Ruddock (capt)
Age:
27
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 111kg (17st 4lbs)
Caps: 17
Points: 15
He's arguably been the form backrow in Irish rugby this season having led Ireland well on their successful summer tour: excellent cameo off the bench against the Springboks.

7 Jordi Murphy
Age:
26
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 106kg (16st 9lbs)
Caps: 17
Points: 10
He returns to the Irish team for the first time since tearing his cruciate knee ligament in a try scoring 26-minute display in the famous win over the All Blacks in Chicago.

8 Jack Conan
Age:
25
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 111kg (17st 6lbs)
Caps: 4
Points: 15
He started all three tests during Ireland's summer tour to the USA and Japan scoring three tries in the two matches, which underlines his potency and athleticism.

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan is an Irish Times sports writer