'It's not just a match' - Ireland XV head coach wants strong showing against Spain

Cullie Tucker is confident his matchday 23 of nine Ulstermen, five Connacht players, five Munstermen, and four from Leinster would be singing from the same hymn sheet by Saturday’s (4pm Irish time) kick-off.

STRONG SHOWING: Head coach Cullie Tucker during an Ireland XV Rugby media conference at the IRFU High Performance Centre. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile.

Ireland XV head coach Cullie Tucker is hoping the strides taken from his scratch squad on the training ground this week will bear fruit in Leganés on Saturday when the Irish Test hopefuls face Spain at Estadio Municipal de Butarque.

Tucker, on secondment from Connacht, where he is scrum coach, has named a side captained by hooker Tom Stewart, one of 10 Test-capped Ireland internationals and even a former England one-capper in Munster’s new signing Dan Kelly, a former Irish Under-20 now re-qualified to wear the green.