Schmidt fields experimental 15 against Wales for first World Cup warm-up game

Joe Schmidt has selected a very different looking starting XV for Ireland’s first Rugby World Cup warm-up game against Wales this weekend.

Thu, 06 Aug, 2015 - 14:50

Joe Schmidt has selected a very different looking starting XV for Ireland’s first Rugby World Cup warm-up game against Wales this weekend.

The team that takes to the field in the Millennium Stadium on Saturday afternoon has thirteen changes from the team that carved out an

Paddy Jackson has been given a chance to impress in the No. 10 jersey.

Leinster team-mates Jamie Heaslip and Mike Ross are the only survivors, with a host of new combinations and partnerships being trialled throughout the side.

For fans on injury watch, Cian Healy has been left out of the 23-man matchday squad, as he continues to work his way back from neck surgery.

Keith Earls starts at 13, forming a centre partnership with Darren Cave.

The hotly contested fly-half jersey has been handed to Paddy Jackson on this occasion. The Ulsterman will be keen to prove his worth to Schmidt for the 31-man final squad.

Irish starting XV:15. Felix Jones, 14. Andrew Trimble, 13. Keith Earls, 12. Darren Cave, 11. Fergus McFadden, 10. Paddy Jackson , 9. Eoin Reddan; 1. Jack McGrath, 2. Richardt Strauss, 3. Mike Ross, 4. Iain Henderson, 5. Donnacha Ryan, 6. Jordi Murphy, 7. Tommy O’Donnell, 8. Jamie Heaslip.

Replacements: Rory Best, Dave Kilcoyne, Michael Bent, Dan Tuohy, Chris Henry, Kieran Marmion, Ian Madigan, Simon Zebo.