Ireland's Rising Stars: Three Debuts as Crowley Takes the Helm at Fly-Half

Ireland introduces three new players as Jack Crowley starts at fly-half in the upcoming Test against Portugal. Discover the fresh talent and strategic changes under interim coach Paul O'Connell.

Ireland's interim head coach, Paul O'Connell, has announced significant changes to the lineup for the upcoming Test against Portugal in Lisbon, with three players set to make their international debuts. Shayne Bolton and Alex Kendellen will start the game, while Hugh Gavin is poised to earn his first cap off the bench.

New Faces in the Lineup

  • Shayne Bolton, a wing from Connacht, steps in for the injured Jacob Stockdale, who suffered a shoulder injury during the 34-5 victory over Georgia last week.
  • Alex Kendellen, a back row from Munster, replaces Nick Timoney at open-side flanker.
  • Hugh Gavin, a centre from Connacht, is expected to make his debut as a substitute.

Strategic Shifts

Jack Crowley has been named as the starting fly-half, taking over from Sam Prendergast, who scored 14 points against Georgia but was left out of the 23-man squad for this match. O'Connell has retained the same front row of Jack Boyle, Gus McCarthy, and Tom Clarkson, while Tom Ahern from Munster will make his first start in the second row alongside Darragh Murray.

Coach's Perspective

"I have been really pleased with the attitude of the players over the last number of weeks," said O'Connell. "The dedication and diligence of the squad in testing conditions over in Tbilisi demonstrated the players' willingness to embrace challenges and hopefully that bodes well again this weekend."

Full Ireland Lineup

  • Starting XV: J O'Brien; T O'Brien, J Osborne, S McCloskey, S Bolton; J Crowley, C Casey (capt); J Boyle, G McCarthy, T Clarkson; T Ahern, D Murray; R Baird, A Kendellen, C Prendergast.
  • Replacements: T Stewart, M Milne, T O'Toole, C Izuchukwu, M Deegan, B Murphy, C Frawley, H Gavin.

This match marks a pivotal moment for Ireland as they integrate new talent and adjust their strategies under the guidance of Paul O'Connell. The team's performance in Lisbon will be a crucial indicator of their readiness for future challenges in the Rugby Union arena.

What to Read Next

Jack Crowley's Chance to Shine: Following Prendergast's Stellar Performance
Rugby

Jack Crowley's Chance to Shine: Following Prendergast's Stellar Performance

Jack Crowley steps into the spotlight for Ireland against Portugal, following Sam Prendergast's impressive display in Georgia.

Abi Tierney's Vision: Revitalizing Welsh Rugby with Passion and Strategy
Rugby

Abi Tierney's Vision: Revitalizing Welsh Rugby with Passion and Strategy

Abi Tierney, WRU's first female CEO, shares her ambitious plan to elevate Welsh rugby back to the world's elite, addressing challenges and fostering sustainable growth.

Willis Halaholo to Make Tonga Debut in Pacific Nations Cup 2025
Rugby

Willis Halaholo to Make Tonga Debut in Pacific Nations Cup 2025

Former Wales centre Willis Halaholo is set to debut for Tonga in the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup, facing Fiji and Samoa in a thrilling tournament.

Ireland's Rugby World Cup Squad: Wafer and McMahon Return Despite Injuries
Rugby

Ireland's Rugby World Cup Squad: Wafer and McMahon Return Despite Injuries

Ireland's Women's Rugby World Cup squad sees the return of key players Aoife Wafer and Edel McMahon despite recent injuries, as they prepare for the tournament.

Welsh Rugby's Strategic Overhaul: A New Era for Regional Teams
Rugby

Welsh Rugby's Strategic Overhaul: A New Era for Regional Teams

The Welsh Rugby Union unveils a transformative plan to streamline regional teams, aiming for sustainability and improved performance in Welsh rugby.

Ellena Perry's Transition to Ireland Rugby: A Story of Resilience and Opportunity
Rugby

Ellena Perry's Transition to Ireland Rugby: A Story of Resilience and Opportunity

Ellena Perry, former England prop, earns her debut with Ireland Rugby, showcasing resilience and adaptability in international rugby.

Gregor Brown Joins British & Irish Lions Squad for Crucial Melbourne Clash
Rugby

Gregor Brown Joins British & Irish Lions Squad for Crucial Melbourne Clash

Scotland's Gregor Brown is set to bolster the British & Irish Lions squad ahead of their pivotal match in Melbourne, adding depth and versatility to the team.

Maro Itoje Leads British and Irish Lions Against ACT Brumbies in Crucial Warm-Up Match
Rugby

Maro Itoje Leads British and Irish Lions Against ACT Brumbies in Crucial Warm-Up Match

Maro Itoje captains the British and Irish Lions in a pivotal warm-up against ACT Brumbies, shaping the team for the upcoming Test series.

Lions' Epic Comeback: A Test of Grit and Glory in Melbourne
Rugby

Lions' Epic Comeback: A Test of Grit and Glory in Melbourne

The British & Irish Lions staged a thrilling comeback against the Wallabies at the MCG, showcasing their resilience and securing a series win.

Bristol Bears Bolster Squad with Georgian Rugby Star Luka Ivanishvili
Rugby

Bristol Bears Bolster Squad with Georgian Rugby Star Luka Ivanishvili

Bristol Bears enhance their squad by signing Georgian back row forward Luka Ivanishvili, a promising talent with 23 international caps.

Maro Itoje's Leadership Propels Lions to Series Victory with Eyes on Clean Sweep
Rugby

Maro Itoje's Leadership Propels Lions to Series Victory with Eyes on Clean Sweep

Maro Itoje leads the British and Irish Lions to a thrilling series win against Australia, aiming for a historic clean sweep.

Scotland Faces Samoa Without Key Players: Jordan & Ritchie Join Graham on Injury List
Rugby

Scotland Faces Samoa Without Key Players: Jordan & Ritchie Join Graham on Injury List

Scotland's final summer tour game against Samoa will be without key players Tom Jordan and Jamie Ritchie due to injuries, adding to the absence of Darcy Graham.

Ireland's Rugby World Cup Journey: Players Rise to the Challenge Under Bemand's Leadership
Rugby

Ireland's Rugby World Cup Journey: Players Rise to the Challenge Under Bemand's Leadership

Ireland's head coach Scott Bemand discusses the selection process for the Women's Rugby World Cup, highlighting the team's resilience and depth as they prepare for the tournament.

Wallaroos Dominate Wales in Crucial World Cup Warm-Up Match
Rugby

Wallaroos Dominate Wales in Crucial World Cup Warm-Up Match

Australia's Wallaroos deliver a strong performance against Wales in a key warm-up match ahead of the Rugby World Cup, highlighting areas of improvement for both teams.

Scotland Rugby Team Adjustments for Crucial Samoa Clash
Rugby

Scotland Rugby Team Adjustments for Crucial Samoa Clash

Scotland makes strategic changes to their lineup as they prepare to face Samoa in a pivotal rugby match, aiming to bounce back from recent setbacks.

Load More

We use essential cookies to make our site work. With your consent, we may also use non-essential cookies to improve user experience and analyze website traffic. By clicking "Accept," you agree to our website's cookie use as described in our Cookie Policy.