Jamie Osborne starts at full-back for Ireland as Andy Farrell opts for Craig Casey at No 9 against Springboks
Ireland team to face South Africa
Jamie Osborne is in for a baptism of fire on his first Ireland start after Andy Farrell picked the Naas native at full-back for his international debut in Saturday's Test against South Africa.
News of the selection emerged as a major shock last night and has been confirmed by the IRFU, with Osborne picked to fill Hugo Keenan's boots in what is a major vote of confidence in his ability.
Osborne has been involved in a number of Ireland squads before now, but having impressed for Leinster in midfield he has been given the No 15 shirt this weekend having only started there twice for his province in 2021 and 2022.
Jimmy O'Brien had been expected to play at full-back, while Jordan Larmour and Ciarán Frawley played there during the Six Nations and Jacob Stockdale has also featured for Ireland there under Farrell.
He'll be tested by an experienced Springbok backline at altitude at Loftus Versfeld, with Faf de Klerk, Handre Pollard and Willie le Roux among the best tactical kickers in the game.
The other big decision in the starting XV sees Robbie Henshaw hold off Garry Ringrose for the No 13 shirt, meaning Ringrose joins his fellow Leinster co-captain James Ryan on a 5/3 split bench.
Calvin Nash and James Lowe are on the wings, while Craig Casey has been given the nod to partner Jack Crowley at scrum-half in the absence of the injured Jamison Gibson-Park.
Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong form a familiar combination in the front-row, while Tadhg Beirne again partners Joe McCarthy at lock as skipper Peter O'Mahony joins Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris in the back-row.
On the bench, Cian Healy, Ronan Kelleher and Finlay Bealham are picked as front-row cover, Ryan and Ryan Baird cover the back five and Conor Murray and Ciarán Fralwley back up the half-backs.
