O2 MatchDay Live: Ireland v Samoa
You can follow the fortunes of Ireland in today’s GUINNESS Series Test against Samoa with our O2 MatchDay Live service. Get up-to-the-minute text commentary from the Aviva Stadium right here on IrishRugby.ie.
O2 MatchDay Live will keep you up to date with all the goings on at the Aviva Stadium as Ireland meet Samoa in at Test level for the first time since June 2003.
Their most recent clash, as part of Ireland’s 2003 summer tour to the Pacific Islands, saw the Irish claim a 40-14 win in sweltering conditions in Apia.
Out-half Ronan O’Gara set a new Irish points-scoring record in that game, finishing with a 32-point haul (two tries, two conversions, five penalties and a drop goal).
Of the squad that lined out that day, O’Gara, Donncha O’Callaghan and Gordon D’Arcy are the only survivors in the current GUINNESS Series panel.
Today’s Test is the fifth clash between Ireland and Samoa. The old Lansdowne Road witnessed Samoa’s only win in the series – a surprise five-try 40-25 triumph back in November 1996.
Giant lock Devin Toner will make his senior debut for Ireland in this afternoon’s match, with his Leinster colleague, flanker Sean O’Brien, preparing for his first start at international level.
The selection of O’Gara and Peter Stringer will see the Munster pair play as Ireland’s starting half-backs for the 55th time.
Only three half-back partnerships have started over 50 Tests together – Italy’s Diego Dominguez and Alessandro Troncon, O’Gara and Stringer (54) and Australia’s Stephen Larkham and George Gregan (78).
Also returning to the starting line-up is long-serving prop John Hayes who will create another record today.
Hayes will become Ireland’s oldest Test cap at 37. The previous record was held by legendary centre Mike Gibson, who won the last of his 69 caps at 36 years and 195 days old.
We will have live text commentary direct from the Aviva Stadium as Ireland look to gain their first win of the new international season.
So plug in the laptop or turn on the PC and enjoy a flavour of the game live on IrishRugby.ie with thanks to O2, sponsors of MatchDay Live.
There will be full live text and score updates throughout the coverage as Declan Kidney’s charges take on a Samoan side that boasts a number of English Premiership and French Top 14 Championship stars.
Starting at 2pm with our pre-match build-up (the game kicks off at 2.30pm), you can feel part of the action with MatchDay Live on IrishRugby.ie.
The match is being broadcast live on RTÉ Two and BBC Two Northern Ireland, as well as RTÉ Radio 1 and BBC Radio Ulster MW. We will have multimedia links to the TV and radio coverage.
Look out for the MatchDay Live button in the Ireland section of this website, or simply click on the link below: