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23rd November 2024
12:38pm GMT
Ireland face Fiji on Saturday, November 23 at the Aviva Stadium.
Here is everything you need to know about the match, which you can follow above in our live blog. Just click on the ‘key point’ you want to read about or keep scrolling for updates.
Ireland versus Fiji kicks off at 3:10pm on Saturday, November 23, at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
The match will be broadcast live on Virgin Media One, with coverage starting at 2:30pm. You can also stream it live on the Virgin Media Player.
In the UK you can watch the game live on TNT Sports 1 and stream it on Discovery+.
Ireland have made seven changes to the XV that started against Argentina.
Craig Casey, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale and Jamie Osborne come into the side, while Cormac Izuchukwu and Gus McCarthy make their debuts, with Sam Prendergast getting his first start.
Fiji have confirmed their team:
Vuate Karawalevu; Jiuta Wainiqolo, Waisea Nayacalevu (capt), Josua Tuisova, Ponepati Loganimasi; Caleb Muntz, Frank Lomani; Eroni Mawi, Tevita Ikanivere, Luke Tagi; Mesake Vocevoce, Temo Mayanavanua; Meli Derenalagi, Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata.
Replacements: Sam Matavesi, Haereiti Hetet, Samu Tawake, Setareki Turagacoke, Albert Tuisue, Peni Matawalu, Vilimoni Botitu, Sireli Maqala.
Tom O'Toole returns to the match-day squad after missing last week's game due to a concussion suffered against the All Blacks. He will be covering the less familiar role of loose head prop.
It was hoped that Tadhg Furlong would return to the squad, with the veteran tight head yet to feature in this year's Autumn Nations Series due to a hamstring issue.
Ireland produced one of their worst performances under Andy Farrell against the All Blacks, in a game that was littered with soft penalties, handling errors, and inaccuracy.
It will take time to bed in the style of new attack coach Andrew Goodman and there were green shoots at times during the narrow 22-19 victory over Argentina.
But a scoreless second half for Ireland nearly turned a relatively positive outing into a disaster.
Fiji's lack of consistency can make their form difficult the gauge, but despite a couple some up-and-down results this November, Ireland will expect to deal with their challenge quite comfortably.
A 57-17 hammering to Scotland was followed by a 24-19 win over a dire Welsh side and a 33-19 victory over minnows Spain last week.
It is a much-changed side for their clash with Ireland, and they will always remain one of the most dangerous teams in the world from broken play.
Fiji have never beaten Ireland.
The sides played two unofficial games against the Fijians, in 1976 and 1985.
Since 1995, they have played five full Tests, all in Dublin, with Ireland scoring an average of more than 40 points.
Fiji did run Ireland close at the Aviva Stadium in 2017, when the hosts won 23-20.
The last game came in November 2022, with Ireland winning 35-17.
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