Ireland to face Fiji in Nations Championship match at Aviva Stadium

Ireland will play Fiji in a Nations Championship match at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday 14 November at 20:10 GMT, according to RTÉ and BBC Sport.

Ireland team and selection

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has made seven changes to the side that defeated Argentina a week ago. Dan Sheehan and Sean Jansen miss out due to injury, while Joe McCarthy, Hugo Keenan and Robbie Henshaw are rested. Craig Casey and Stuart McCloskey swap to the bench and will feature against Fiji.

Tadhg Beirne captains Ireland for the second time on his 75th cap. He is deputising for the injured Caelan Doris and Dan Sheehan. It will be his first time captaining Ireland at home.

"It's particularly special doing it at the Aviva, at home," Beirne said. "I did have family over in Australia during the summer, but I'll have my family here, extended family and especially with this group, getting to lead those boys out is very cool and very special."

Ireland's starting team is Mack Hansen; Rob Baloucoune, Jamie Osborne, Bundee Aki, Tommy O'Brien; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong; James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne (capt); Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Nick Timoney.

Replacements are Tom Stewart, Tom Stewart, Sam Illo, Darragh Murray, James McNabney, Craig Casey, Ciarán Frawley, Stuart McCloskey.

Fiji team and background

Fiji are coached by Jake White, who led South Africa to World Cup success in 2007. They come to Dublin looking for their first ever win against Ireland in their seventh full Test meeting.

Winless through four games of the Nations Championship, Fiji played their "home" games against England, Wales and Scotland in the UK, before they were beaten 54-17 by France last week in their first official "away" game of the tournament.

Fiji's starting team is Ponipate Loganimasi; Salestino Ravutaumada, Setareki Bituniyata, Josua Tuisova, Juta Wainiqolo; Ben Volavola, Frank Lomani; Peni Ravai, Tevita Ikanivere, Luke Tagi; Joseva Tamani, Isoa Nasilasila; Mesake Vocevoce, Lekima Tagitagivalu, Peceli Yato (capt).

Replacements are Zuriel Togiatama, Vilikesa Nairau, Inoke Ravuiwasa, Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata, Terio Tamani, Caleb Muntz, Iosefo Masi.

Match context

Ireland sit third in the Nations Championship northern hemisphere table. They have never lost to Fiji in a Test match and won 52-17 when the sides last met in Dublin in 2024.

Ireland beat Argentina 42-12 in Dublin last week, racing into a 21-5 half-time lead. Beirne admitted afterwards they "could have got a lot more out of" their autumn opener.

Fiji throw a tournament-leading 15 offloads per game, while the 8.75 turnovers won per game is also the best of the 12 teams. Ireland rank last in the Nations Championship with 4.5 turnovers per game.

The referee is Angus Gardner (RA).

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Sources

• rte.ie: Ireland look to build on good start as Fiji come to town
• bbc.com: Ireland v Fiji: Tadhg Beirne leads Irish bid to build on strong start to autumn campaign - BBC Sport

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