Ireland will have to work a lot harder to beat Tonga on Saturday at Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes at 21:00, than they did against Romania a week ago.
Ireland had an easy 82-08 win against Romania in round 1 of Pool A at the 2023 Rugby World Cup and will face an impressive Tonga who will play in their first match of the tournament.
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has recalled wing Mack Hansen and also brought in scrum-half Conor Murray, fit-again hooker Ronan Kelleher and flanker Josh van der Flier to the starting side and also made two positional changes to face Tonga in Pool A in Nantes on Saturday.
Conor Murray, who replaces Jamison Gibson-Park at scrum-half, and Johnny Sexton have 222 caps between them and start together for the 69th time, extending their Ireland record for most appearances as a half-back combination. The other change to the backline sees Mack Hansen return on the right wing in place of Keith Earls.
In the pack, Rob Herring makes way for Ronan Kelleher at hooker, while World Rugby Player of the Year 2022 Josh van der Flier returns at openside flanker, with Peter O’Mahony reverting to blindside and Tadhg Beirne moving into the second row, Joe McCarthy the man to make way.
Andy Farrell head coach of Ireland said on the selection of the side, "A bit of continuity from last week. It’s a different game, isn’t it? A different challenge, Tonga. Respecting the opposition is absolutely at the forefront of our minds, respecting the competition, but more so respecting ourselves. Every game is of the same importance for us and a strong side is what we’ve got anyway within the group of 33."
"We’re fit, we’re determined and we’ve been on point as far as our attitude this week, and it needs to be that because we need to take a step forward. The squad at this moment in time is in great form, in great spirits. Tonga will have something to say about that."
Tonga head coach Toutai Kefu has named his match-day 23 to face Ireland at Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes on Saturday, with former captain Ben Tameifuna forming part of a heavyweight front row. Kefu has included four former All Blacks in Tonga’s starting XV: full-back Salesi (Charles) Piutau, centre Malakai Fekitoa, scrum-half Augustine Pulu and number eight Vaea Fifita.
Tonga head coach Toutai Kefu commented on if it is good to start against the number one team in the world and a week later than everyone else, "It doesn't really matter because it is what it is. We've had some wonderful warm-up games so what better way to start off with a bang against the best team in the world. It's a massive challenge for us, we're looking forward to it."
On what he is expecting from his team he said "We're expecting to execute really well, execute our game plan. We think there are some spots there we can identify and take advantage of."
Teams:
Ireland: 1 Andrew Porter, 2 Ronan Kelleher, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Tadhg Beirne, 5 James Ryan, 6 Peter O'Mahony, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Caelan Doris, 9 Conor Murray, 10 Johnny Sexton (c), 11 James Lowe, 12 Bundee Aki, 13 Garry Ringrose, 14 Mack Hansen, 15 Hugo Keenan. Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Ryan Baird, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Robbie Henshaw.
Tonga: 1 Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, 2 Paula Ngauamo, 3 Ben Tameifuna (c), 4 Sam Lousi, 5 Halaleva Fifita, 6 Tanginoa Halaifonua, 7 Sione Talitui, 8 Vaea Fifita, 9 Augustine Pulu, 10 William Havili, 11 Solomone Kata, 12 Pita Ahki, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 14 Afusipa Taumoepeau, 15 Salesi Piutau. Replacements: 16 Sam Moli, 17 Tau Koloamatangi, 18 Sosefo Apikotoa, 19 Semisi Paea, 20 Solomone Funaki, 21 Sione Vailanu, 22 Sonatane Takul, 23 Fine Inisi.