Ireland v Fiji preview: Sam Prendergast to steer hosts to win over ...

The final fully-loaded weekend in the Autumn Nations Series is upon us and what comes with it is Ireland playing host to Fiji at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

It has not been the month Andy Farrell would have hoped for with Ireland falling to defeat against the All Blacks in an epic Test before the men in green only just scraped past a passionate Los Pumas side last time out.

Farrell and his side have copped some criticism for their lack of evolution and while that may be true in part that can’t be said for the team he has selected this weekend. The coach has made a host of changes including two debutants and importantly prodigy Sam Prendergast starts.

Jack Crowley has been prominent since Johnny Sexton’s retirement and is certainly the incumbent for Ireland right now, but for quite some time Prendergast has been viewed as the long-term heir to the legendary fly-half’s throne so it will be fascinating to see how he goes after a promising debut cameo.

Elsewhere Farrell has given Jacob Stockdale a chance as well as promising youngster Jamie Osborne. All in all it is an exciting team for Ireland fans who get a glimpse into the future make-up of the team.

For the Flying Fijians, they rock up in Dublin at more or less full strength with the goal of gaining their first ever win against Ireland.

It has mostly been a positive autumn for the Pacific Nations Cup champions with wins over Wales and Spain coming after a weakened side faced Scotland out of the Test window. The Rugby World Cup quarter-finalists will be desperate to kick on after a solid 2023.

It is all set up to be a thriller in Dublin, one Ireland will fancy themselves in but a Test that could be a banana peel for the hosts.

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This Test is intriguing as it is the battle of the opposites with Ireland so meticulous, calculated and structured in their game model while the Fijians thrive on open play chaos where their exceptional athletes can shine.

With that in mind, the set-piece and breakdown are important especially in the wet weather expected because if the Fijians allow Ireland to hold the ball for extended periods then that multi-phase attack will squeeze and squeeze.

From a Fijian perspective, they need to disrupt the set-piece and prey on the breakdown to turn the game into unstructured chaos where they will be better placed.

Fiji in the past has struggled with discipline and that will be important again, as it will for Ireland who rather uncharacteristically have been leaking penalties. Test rugby in many ways is a game of leveraging penalties so both sides will need to keep their noses clean.

If Ireland are allowed to play their game without too much Fijian disruption it could be a tough day for the hosts.

Finally, the red-hot Jacob Stockdale gets a run! It is always tough competing with James Lowe but the Ulster wing has been on fire, rolling back the years to his peak form. When a player like Stockdale starts scoring tries it is an absolute joy to watch and no doubt he will threaten the line this weekend.

Skipper Caelan Doris admits he has not been at his best and a clash with the robust Fijians could just be what he needs to reignite the form that earned him a nomination for World Rugby Player of the Year. The Irishman is world-class and he will have an impact on this one.

Another player getting a chance is Cormac Izuchukwu who gets a shot for the first time in an Ireland shirt. The Ulsterman is highly rated, has been integrated through the Emerging Ireland set-up, and thoroughly deserves his chance. Expect a tireless shift with strong contributions on both sides of the ball.

Juita Wainiqolo is easily one of the most elusive runners in the world at the moment having notched up a plethora of long-range solo specials in the Top 14. It will be wet in Dublin so it might not be the game he hoped for but if Ireland gives him space there will be trouble.

Wet or not the gargantuan centre/extra forward Josua Tuisova will be a massive presence and one that will be lining up Prendergast all game long. Alongside him is their leader Waisea Nayacalevu who is always good value on both sides of the ball and will have to watch Robbie Henshaw very closely.

Lastly is the leader of the pack Tevita Ikanivere who is a hard-nosed hooker who loves to carry the ball. Especially in the wet weather he will need to put his hand up all game long and give debutant Gus McCarthy hell on his first run in green.

We were very tempted to put a forward battle considering the wet weather but players who need to make key decisions will be the fly-halves.

Sam Prendergast gets his first start much to the delight of Ireland fans. The prodigy is very highly-rated and that shows with Farrell backing him to run the ship against Fiji. There is no question of his talent and he looks to have the temperament to match. It is a massive moment in his career, one we believe he will grab with aplomb.

Whenever Fiji bag a big win Caleb Muntz scores a lot of points, and that will need to happen again. The Fijians have had all-out attackers in the 10 shirt in years gone by but Muntz is complete in a lot of ways from distribution to tactical nous to sound defence. He will have to nail everything from the tee and marshal his side well by getting Tuisova and the like on the ball whenever possible and kicking accurately out of hand.

The weather will certainly play a role in preventing the Fijians from running wild but this team is one of the more complete sides in their history which helps a great deal. Ireland will take a while to get going with several new combinations to gel, however, the hosts will find their groove as they are the more polished of the teams. Ireland to win by 15 points.

2017: Ireland won 23-20 in Dublin
2009: Ireland won 41-6 in Dublin
2002: Ireland won 35-17 in Dublin
2002: Ireland won 64-17 in Dublin
1995: Ireland won 44-8 in Dublin

Ireland: 15 Jamie Osborne, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Craig Casey, 8 Caelan Doris (c), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Cormac Izuchukwu, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Gus McCarthy, 1 Andrew Porter
Replacements: 16 Rónan Kelleher, 17 Tom O’Toole, 18 Thomas Clarkson, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Cian Prendergast, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Ciaran Frawley, 23 Stuart McCloskey

Fiji: 15 Vuate Karawalevu, 14 Jiuta Wainiqolo, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu (c), 12 Josua Tuisova, 11 Ponipate Loganimasi, 10 Caleb Muntz, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Elia Canakaivata, 7 Kitione Salawa, 6 Meli Derenalagai, 5 Temo Mayanavunua, 4 Mesake Vocevoce, 3 Luke Tagi, 2 Tevita Ikanivere, 1 Eroni Mawi
Replacements: 16 Sam Matavesi, 17 Haereiti Hetet, 18 Samu Tawake, 19 Setareki Turagacoke, 20 Albert Tuisue, 21 Peni Matawalu, 22 Vilimoni Botitu, 23 Sireli Maqala

Date: Saturday, November 23
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off: 15:10 GMT
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley (RFU), Sam Grove-White (SRU)
TMO: Mike Adamson (SRU)

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