Crowley reinstated, Doris on bench as Farrell names lineup for All Blacks 'rematch'

Ireland and head coach Andy Farrell. Pic: Dan Sheridan/Inpho

Andy Farrell has reinstated Jack Crowley into the Ireland No.10 jersey for Saturday night’s Chicago rematch with the All Blacks but opted to keep returning captain Caelan Doris in reserve.

Farrell unveiled his starting XV for the Soldier Field meeting with New Zealand on Thursday morning local time, naming hooker Dan Sheehan as captain in the place of Doris. He also found room for at least a couple of November surprises.

Ulster’s Stuart McCloskey was undoubtedly the most eye-catching, named to make his first Ireland start in 20 months as he partners Garry Ringrose in the centre while, outside them, Leinster’s Tommy O’Brien will win just his third Ireland cap on the wing. It will be a first staredown of the haka for both men.

Among the replacements, meanwhile, is rookie Leinster prop Paddy McCarthy, one of just two uncapped players in the 36-man touring party.

The Ireland head coach has turned to Crowley after a superb start to the season in the URC with Munster, highlighted by a virtuoso interpro performance against Leinster at Croke Park earlier this month. That that display came in direct opposition to Sam Prendergast, who had papered to have taken a hold of the playmaker’s role for the national team over the past 12 months, perhaps swung things decisively Crowley’s way and he partners Jamison Gibson-park in the half-backs. Prendergast is included among the replacements with a 5-3 forward-back split.

Sam Prendergast misses out on a starting place. Pic: Dan Sheridan/Inpho

Sheehan, who captained Ireland for the first time against Wales earlier this year, will have familiar company at the coalface, Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong either side of him. Fresh from his own barnstorming Croke Park display, Munster skipper Tadhg Beirne will partner James Ryan in the second row with Ryan Baird, Josh van den Flier and Jack Conan rounding out the pack.

Farrell, who will address the media in Chicago later this morning, has opted for McCloskey over the claims of more experienced options in Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw. Both crossed the Atlantic with injury concerns but had been reported fully fit earlier this week. Aki is among the replacements.

McCloskey, who recently turned 33, has been a key cog in Ulster’s flying start in the URC, featuring in wins against the Dragons, Bulls and a highly impressive road victory over the Sharks. His size and defensive solidity will come in handy against a All Blacks attack which belatedly found its feet in closing Rugby Championship victories over the Wallabies.

After a Six Nations campaign where Iain Henderson was the sole Ulster player to feature, McCloskey’s return to a starting berth is recognition for how things have turned for Richie Murphy’s side this term, Henderson also named among the replacements.

The deliberations on whether to throw Doris right back into the deep end from the get-go at Soldier Field had occupied plenty of headspace for the Irish coaching staff here over the past week.

Farrell clearly felt usual captain Caelan Doris wasn't quite ready after recently returning from injury. Pic: Dan Sheridan/Inpho

While there are concerns across the board about how underprepared the entire panel is in terms of match-intensity minutes, Leinster No.8 Doris hasn’t played at all in the past five months. Surgery for a shoulder injury in the wake of the province’s abrupt Champions Cup exit at the hands of Northampton ruled him out of the Lions tour and has resulted in a careful build-up back to full fitness. He's sure to be called upon with a testing clash awaiting.

"It is a real privilege to be back here in Chicago ahead of a huge game against New Zealand,” Farrell said. “The historic nature of this game is something we are embracing and there's great excitement in the squad, not least for Paddy McCarthy who is set to make his international debut this weekend. Paddy has made a great start to the season and his selection is testament to his impressive form. We wish him well and will all do our utmost to make it a special weekend for him and his family.” All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson, who has travelled north having shed only some of the pressure that built up during a Rugby Championship of extreme highs and lows, will name his first XV of the autumn later this afternoon in downtown Chicago. All week here New Zealand players have insisted that a Grand Slam is the target for a hectic November schedule which sees the world’s No.2 side play Ireland then Scotland, England and Wales over the next four weeks.

IRELAND (vs All Blacks, Saturday 8.10pm Irish time): J Osborne (Leinster), T O’Brien (Leinster), G Ringrose (Leinster), S McCloskey (Ulster), J Lowe (Leinster), J Crowley (Munster), J Gibson-Park (Leinster); A Porter (Leinster), D Sheehan (Leinster, capt), T Furlong (Leinster), J Ryan (Leinster), T Beirne (Munster), R Baird (Leinster), J van der Flier (Leinster), J Conan (Leinster).

Replacements: R Kelleher (Leinster), P McCarthy (Leinster)*, F Bealham (Connacht), I Henderson (Ulster), C Doris (Leinster), C Casey (Munster), S Prendergast (Leinster), B Aki (Connacht).