If the team that starts is anything like the one we have selected, the injuries Gods will have been kind.
Andy Farrell has named a 37-man squad for the upcoming November internationals, with 12 more 'A' players named. We have assessed the squad and selected our strongest Ireland team to face the Springboks in their opening stand.
Ireland will face Australia and Fiji, later in their three-game stand at Aviva Stadium. First up, though, is South Africa and this will be the crown jewel of the three ties. Ireland could face the Boks in a World Cup quarter final, next autumn, so this will be the last chance to size each other up, and strike a psychological blow.
On the latest House of Rugby [LISTEN from 2:15 below], hosts Greg O'Shea, Lindsay Peat and Jason Hennessy discussed that upcoming window, and mentioned some of the up-and-coming talents - such as Calvin Nash, Ciarán Frawley and Cian Prendergast - that could have a Test role to play over the next 12 months, and beyond.
[caption id="attachment_250864" align="aligncenter" width="800"]Ireland head coach Andy Farrell is interviewed at the Aviva Stadium, in Dublin. (Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile)[/caption]
Selecting an Ireland team to take on the Springboks
In selecting the strongest Ireland team to take on South Africa, in just over two weeks, the simplest option is to look back on the side that defeated New Zealand in their last two Test outings.
Bundee Aki is the only player from that XV that is definitely out of the tie. The Connacht centre is currently suspended after a red card he picked up against Stormers. Garry Ringrose missed that final New Zealand Test with concussion but is fit and in form, so he comes straight back in.
After that, it gets a little complicated.
James Ryan (knee) and Josh van der Flier (ankle) both picked up injuries in last weekend's win over Connacht, but both are included in Andy Farrell's squad. Ryan Baird is named, too, despite a bad fall on his neck and back in a Leinster win over Sharks.
If Ryan and van der Flier are fit and ready to play, they both start against the Springboks. If not, Kieran Treadwell goes into our second row and a back-row rejig sees Peter O'Mahony start at openside, Caelan Doris blindside and Jack Conan at No.8.
Our preferred Ireland backline features Hugo Keenan and Jamison Gibson-Park but we are conscious that the Leinster duo have yet to feature this season. We have contingencies for these players [below].
OUR IRELAND TEAM TO FACE SOUTH AFRICA
15. Hugo Keenan (Mike Lowry)
14. Rob Baloucoune
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Robbie Henshaw
11. Mack Hansen
10. Johnny Sexton
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Conor Murray)
1. Andrew Porter
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Tadhg Beirne
5. James Ryan (Kieran Treadwell)
6. Peter O'Mahony (Caelan Doris)
7. Josh van der Flier (Peter O'Mahony)
8. Caelan Doris (Jack Conan)
In terms of an Ireland bench, it would be nice to see Craig Casey, Joey Carbery, Jacob Stockdale, Tom O'Toole and possibly Joe McCarthy there.
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell is interviewed at the Aviva Stadium, in Dublin. (Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile)[/caption]
