Ireland will aim to end an impressive Summer Nations Series on a high when they face Samoa at Stade Jean-Dauger in Bayonne.
Andy Farrell’s side have flown to France to finalise their preparations for the Rugby World Cup, with their opener against Romania fast approaching.
The 2023 Guinness Six Nations Grand Slam winners beat England 29-10 last weekend, having also dispatched Italy 33-17 earlier this month.
So, ahead of the final round of Summer Nations Series fixtures, let’s look at how Ireland and Samoa will line up.
Ireland team news
Farrell has made 12 changes to the team that defeated England last week, with Iain Henderson returning as captain in the second row.
The lock led his country to a win over the Azzurri in their opening game of the Summer Nations Series but did not feature against England.
It is all change in the front row with Tom Stewart set for his first Ireland start alongside props Cian Healy and Finlay Bealham.
Tadhg Beirne keeps his place in the engine room, but there are two changes in the back row, with Ryan Baird and Caelan Doris coming in for Peter O’Mahony and Cian Prendergast.
However, Josh van der Flier will start his second game in a row at seven.
Jimmy O’Brien and Keith Earls, who scored a try off the bench on the occasion of his 100th cap last week, come into the side at full-back and wing respectively, with Mack Hansen completing the back three after scoring against England last week.
There is a new half-back pairing, with Conor Murray and Jack Crowley set to start at nine and ten.
And there are two new centres, with Robbie Henshaw and Stuart McCloskey coming into the starting side for Garry Ringrose and Bundee Aki.
Ireland team to face Samoa
15 Jimmy O’Brien, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Conor Murray; 1 Cian Healy, 2 Tom Stewart, 3 Finlay Bealham, 4 Iain Henderson (c), 5 Tadhg Beirne, 6 Ryan Baird, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Caelan Doris
Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Jeremy Loughman, 18 Tom O’Toole, 19 James Ryan, 20 Peter O’Mahony, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Garry Ringrose
Samoa team news
Seventeen-cap All Black Lima Sopoaga will make his Test debut for Samoa against Ireland this weekend.
The 32-year-old will start at fly-half in a strong back line, with Jonathan Taumateine named at nine and Tumua Manu and Ulupano Seuteni linking up in midfield.
Duncan Paia’aua starts at full-back, with wingers Ed Fidow and Nigel Ah Wong named either side of him.
In the pack, versatile Saracens star Theo McFarland has been named alongside skipper Chris Vui in an all-action engine room.
The front row is made up of props James Lay and Paul Alo-Emile as well as hooker Seilala Lam.
The back row is comprised of Fritz Lee, Taleni Seu and another former All Black in the form of Steven Luatua.
Samoa team to play Ireland: 15. Duncan Paia’aua, 14. Ed Fidow, 13. Ulupano Seuteni, 12. Tumua Manu, 11. Nigel Ah Wong, 10. Lima Sopoaga, 9. Jonathan Taumateine; 1. James Lay, 2. Seilala Lam, 3. Paul Alo-Emile, 4. Chris Vui, 5. Theo McFarland, 6. Taleni Seu, 7. Fritz Lee, 8. Steven Luatua
Replacements: 16. Sama Malolo, 17. Jordan Lay, 18. Michael Ala’alatoa, 19. Miracle Faiʻilagi, 20. Jordan Taufua, 21. Ere Enari, 22. Christian Leali’ifano 23. Neria Fomai
