Much changed Ireland take on Covid-hit New Zealand

Ireland make 14 changes from the team who lost to the Maori All Blacks, as Cian Healy is passed fit enough to start on the bench.

Keith Earls is the only player who will play both games this week, making his 97th appearance for the Emerald Isle.

Peter O’Mahony starts at blindside, who along with Earls and Tadgh Beirne are the only players not to play for Leinster in the starting XV.

Their hosts will most likely not have head coach Ian Foster for the game (although he appears confident of making a return on the day), who along with assistants John Plumtree and Scott McLeod, and players Will Jordan, Jack Goodhue and David Havili, have all tested positive for Covid-19.

The All Blacks hand a debut to Leicester Fainga’anuku on the left-wing, in a team that sees eight players survive in the starting team from their defeat to Ireland in November, while Ireland have ten from that game.

Ireland will be captained by Jonny Sexton on the day, while Sam Kane leads New Zealand, in a team that has been coached by former Ireland boss Joe Schmidt this week.

New Zealand: Bower, Taylor, Tu’ungafasi, Retallick, Whitelock, S Barrett, Kane (capt), Savea, Smith, B Barrett, L Fainga’anuku, Q Tupaea, R Ioane, S Reece, J Barrett,

Substitutions: Taukei’aho, Tu’inukuafe, Ta’avao, Sowakula, Papalii, Christie, Mo’unga, Ennor

Ireland: Porter, Sheehan, Furlong, Beirne, Ryan; O’Mahony, Van der Flier, Doris, Gibson-Park, Sexton (c), Lowe, Henshaw, Ringrose, Earls, Keenan

Substitutions: Heffernan, Bealham, Healy, Treadwell, Conan, Murray, Carbery, Aki

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