DUBLIN - New Zealand-born wing James Lowe will make his much anticipated Ireland debut in Friday's Autumn Nations Cup opener against Wales as Andy Farrell's men look to bounce back from a disappointing end to the Six Nations.
Former Maori All Black Lowe, 28, qualifies by residency to play for Ireland, having spent the last three-and-a-half seasons with Leinster where has played a major role in three successive Pro14 titles and a European Champions Cup.
Farrell made seven changes from the side that needed a bonus point victory over France in Paris on Oct. 31 to seal the delayed Six Nations crown but fell to a 35-27 defeat that meant both teams missed out to champions England.
Another Irish-qualified Kiwi Jamison Gibson-Park will make his first start at scrumhalf with the experienced trio of Peter O'Mahony, Iain Henderson and Josh van der Flier coming into the pack, along with young hooker Ronan Kelleher.
The other change sees Chris Farrell start at outside centre, while Ulster's Billy Burns, a former England Under-20s flyhalf whose grandfather is Irish, looks set to win his first cap off the bench.
#TeamOfUs
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) November 10, 2020
𝗗![CDATA[]]>𝗲![CDATA[]]>𝗯![CDATA[]]>𝘂![CDATA[]]>𝘁 𝗜![CDATA[]]>𝗻![CDATA[]]>𝗰![CDATA[]]>𝗼![CDATA[]]>𝗺![CDATA[]]>𝗶![CDATA[]]>𝗻![CDATA[]]>𝗴 🤩![CDATA[]]>💚
All of us watching James Lowe pull on the green jersey on Friday night! 😁#GuinnessSeries #ShoulderToShoulder #AutumNationsCup #IREvWAL pic.twitter.com/0mAnbgb3Ou
The Ireland team to play Wales
15-Jacob Stockdale, 14-Hugo Keenan, 13-Chris Farrell, 12-Robbie Henshaw, 11-James Lowe, 10-Jonathan Sexton (captain), 9-Jamison Gibson-Park, 8-Caelan Doris, 7-Josh van der Flier, 6-Peter O'Mahony, 5-James Ryan, 4-Iain Henderson, 3-Andrew Porter, 2-Ronan Kelleher, 1-Cian Healy
Replacements:
16-Dave Heffernan, 17-Ed Byrne, 18-Finlay Bealham, 19-Quinn Roux, 20-Will Connors, 21-Conor Murray, 22-Billy Burns, 23-Keith Earls.
Reuters