Andy Farrell: 'I don't see the relevance now of the World Cup quarter-final loss to All Blacks'

The Ireland head coach has made five changes to the team which beat world champions South Africa last time out to level a two-game series with the Springboks in Durban last July

Wed, 06 Nov, 2024 - 17:43

Simon Lewis

Andy Farrell has dismissed the relevance of last year’s World Cup quarter-final defeat to New Zealand after naming his Ireland side to face the All Blacks in Dublin on Friday night.

The Ireland head coach has made five changes to the team which beat world champions South Africa last time out to level a two-game series with the Springboks in Durban last July, recalling scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park, inside centre Bundee Aki, right wing Mack Hansen and full-back Hugo Keenan, all of whom missed that 25-24 second Test win at Kings Park. Farrell was also forced to make a change at tighthead prop following a hamstring strain for Tadhg Furlong, and has promoted Finlay Bealham to the starting line-up for his 43rd Test cap.