Eight players – mostly aged between 22 and 24 – are poised to make their international debuts for Ireland as Andy Farrell’s men wrap up the Vodafone Summer Series, and the season proper, against the USA.
2021 VODAFONE SUMMER SERIES: Saturday, July 10
IRELAND v USA, Aviva Stadium, 7.15pm (live RTÉ 2/RTÉ Player/Channel 4 YouTube/RTÉ Radio 1 & Radio 1 Extra/IRFU Live Blog)
Vodafone Summer Series – Match Attendance Protocols
Ireland v USA – IRFU Digital Match Programme
Team News: Ireland head coach Farrell has included four debutants in the team – and four more uncapped players on the bench – for the final fixture of the Vodafone Summer Series.
Captaining his country for the fourth time, James Ryan is joined in the second row by his Leinster colleague Ryan Baird who wins his fifth cap on his first Test start.
Another first-time starter is Munster’s Gavin Coombes who, fresh from his debut off the bench during last Saturday’s 39-31 win over Japan, will line out at number 8.
A new-look back row is completed by Caelan Doris, now at blindside, and Ulster’s ex-Sevens international Nick Timoney on debut.
Another Ulster favourite, tighthead Tom O’Toole, wins his first cap at only 22, packing down in the front row with Ronan Kelleher and Dave Kilcoyne, the most experienced player involved with 44 caps.
There is another provincial combination at half-back where Craig Casey makes his first start, partnering his Munster team-mate Joey Carbery, who kicked 14 points in the Japan game.
Ulster duo Stuart McCloskey and James Hume get the nod in midfield, the latter – aged 22 – earning his first cap after a run of impressive performances for his native province.
Full-back Hugo Keenan starts his 13th successive Test and is supported in the back-field by Andrew Conway and Robert Baloucoune who, like Timoney and Keenan, becomes a dual international after being part of the IRFU Sevens programme.
Connacht pair Paul Boyle and Caolin Blade are part of an uncapped quartet held in reserve. First caps also await Fineen Wycherley and Harry Byrne, while there is a welcome return to international rugby for the fit-again Will Addison.
Meanwhile, USA boss Gary Gold has made four changes to the side from last week’s 43-29 defeat to England, which saw them outscore their hosts 26-17 in the second half.
Former Ireland underage international Luke Carty, younger brother of Jack, continues at out-half with the Eagles, who last played in Dublin in November 2018, captained by Austin Gilgronis centre Bryce Campbell.
Marcel Brache’s absence as he follows the head injury protocols means a move to full-back for Mike Te’o. Sevens international Christian Dyer comes in on the right wing after a debut try at Twickenham.
Lyon hooker Joe Taufete’e and Rugby United New York flanker Hanco Germishuys are both promoted from the bench to start.
Forwards Kapeli Pifeleti and Andrew Guerra, along with Austin full-back Will Magie, have been added to the replacements.
IRELAND: Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster); Robert Baloucoune (Enniskillen/Ulster), James Hume (Banbridge/Ulster), Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/Ulster), Andrew Conway (Garryowen/Munster); Joey Carbery (Clontarf/Munster), Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster); Dave Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster), Ronan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster), Tom O’Toole (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster), James Ryan (UCD/Leinster) (capt), Caelan Doris (St. Mary’s College/Leinster), Nick Timoney (Banbridge/Ulster), Gavin Coombes (Young Munster/Munster).
Replacements: Dave Heffernan (Buccaneers/Connacht), Ed Byrne (UCD/Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Buccaneers/Connacht), Fineen Wycherley (Young Munster/Munster), Paul Boyle (Buccaneers/Connacht), Caolin Blade (Galwegians/Connacht), Harry Byrne (Lansdowne/Leinster), Will Addison (Enniskillen/Ulster).
USA: Mike Te’o (Utah Warriors); Christian Dyer (USA Sevens), Calvin Whiting (Utah Warriors), Bryce Campbell (Austin Gilgronis) (capt), Mika Kruse (Utah Warriors); Luke Carty (LA Giltinis), Ruben de Haas (Austin Gilgronis); David Ainu’u (Toulouse), Joe Taufete’e (Lyon), Paul Mullen (Utah Warriors), Gregory Peterson (Newcastle Falcons), Nick Civetta (Rugby United New York), Hanco Germishuys (Rugby United New York), Riekert Hattingh (Seattle Seawolves), Cam Dolan (NOLA Gold).
Replacements: Kapeli Pifeleti (Saracens), Matt Harmon (NOLA Gold), Dino Waldren (NOLA Gold), Nate Brakeley (Rugby United New York), Psalm Wooching (San Diego Legion), Andrew Guerra (NOLA Gold), Michael Baska (Utah Warriors), Will Magie (Austin Gilgronis).
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Assistant Referees: Adam Jones (Wales), Ben Blain (Scotland)
Television Match Official: Eric Gauzins (France)
Pre-Match Quotes: Andy Farrell (Ireland) –
It is a balancing act because this is a team game, isn’t it? It’s just about the team and the individuals within the team are super important.
“But it’s about performance and it’s about the individuals making sure that they can put their best foot forward for the team. Deliver what has been asked of them.
“Getting that balance right is key for any selection week. It’s lovely as a coach to be able to give people their first caps, but it’s also great to grow the experience of the group as well.
“There’s quite a few lads there that get their first start, etc. Joey (Carbery) gets to go out there and control the game again from 10 and James (Ryan) gets to captain the side again, which is great for his experience down the track as well.”
Gary Gold (USA) –
I’m proud of the guys for the fight they showed against England last week but obviously we have a new and difficult task ahead with Ireland.
“While we did some very good things last week, it’s important that we improve on those and eradicate the silly errors that allowed us to give away soft tries.
“We need to keep building on our basics and enjoy the opportunity to learn from teams who play in this environment regularly.”
Pre-Match Links –
Ireland v USA IRFU Digital Match Programme
In Pics: Ireland Captain’s Run At Aviva Stadium
Farrell Willing New Caps To ‘Put Best Foot Forward’
Casey: Hearing The Crowd’s Roar Again Is So Good
‘It’s Making Sure We Keep Building’ – Catt
Recent Meetings –
2013: Summer Tour: USA 12 Ireland 15, BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston
2017: Summer Tour: USA 19 Ireland 55, Red Bull Arena, Harrison, New Jersey
2018: Guinness Series: Ireland 57 USA 14, Aviva Stadium
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