13 changes to Ireland team for Georgia match

Dominic Ryan

Picture: INPHO/Dan Sheridan

As expected, Joe Schmidt has made wholesale changes to the side that beat South Africa last weekend for this Sunday’s match against Georgia

Only Simon Zebo and Mike Ross survive from last week’s starting 15, with Eoin Reddan taking the captain’s armband from Paul O’Connell.

Two players are receiving their first caps, Munster’s Dave Foley and Leinster’s Dominic Ryan.

Richardt Strauss played well from the bench last weekend and starts this weekend at hooker.

Also promoted from last week’s replacements are Dave Kilcoyne, Mike McCarthy and Felix Jones.

Gordon D’Arcy also starts on Sunday, having been passed over last weekend in favour of a centre partnership of Robbie Henshaw and Jared Payne.

Robin Copeland and Dave Foley

Picture: INPHO/Dan Sheridan

On the bench, Munster’s Robin Copeland could also be in line for a first cap on Sunday.

Ireland team in full: 15. Felix Jones,14. Craig Gilroy,13. Darren Cave,12. Gordan D'Arcy,11. Simon Zebo,10. Ian Madigan,9. Eoin Reddan; 8. Robbie Diack, 7. Tommy O'Donnell, 6. Dominic Ryan, 5. Mike McCarthy, 4. Dave Foley, 3. Mike Ross, 2. Richardt Strauss, 1. Dave Kilcoyne.

Replacements: 16. Sean Cronin,17. Jack McGrath,18. Rodney Ah You, 19. Devin Toner, 20. Robin Copeland, 21. Kieran Marmion, 22. Ian Keatley, 23. Stuart Olding.

The game between is in the Aviva on Sunday November 16, kick-off at 2.30pm and reporter Shaun cromin will be covering the game live for us on Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat.