Tadhg Beirne will marshal a refreshed Irish side against Fiji on Saturday, even as Andy Farrell tweaks the roster with seven new faces.
Two changes are mandatory – hooker Dan Sheehan sits out with concussion and No 8 Sean Jansen misses out after a knee injury – yet several other niggles have been cleared.
Wing Rob Baloucoune earns the start, and Mack Hansen returns despite an ankle knock, shifting to full‑back while Hugo Keenan rests and Tommy O’Brien slots into the back three.
Josh van der Flier is cleared to play, taking the openside role, with Nick Timoney moving to No 8 to cover Jansen’s absence alongside injured Jack Conan and Caelan Doris.
Veteran scrum‑half Jamison Gibson‑Park re‑joins the starting XV, pushing Craig Casey onto the bench. For my money, his return gives Ireland a decisive edge.
The midfield gets a makeover as Jamie Osborne and Bundee Aki lock in at centre; Stuart McCloskey drops to the bench and Robbie Henshaw is omitted from the squad.
Sam Prendergast partners Gibson‑Park at half‑back, while Ronan Kelleher steps in for Sheehan at hooker, forming a front row with Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong.
On the bench, uncapped Ulster back‑row James McNabney eyes his Test debut.
Ireland squad announced for the Fiji clash in the Nations Championship.
Ireland: 15 Mack Hansen, 14 Robert Baloucoune, 13 Jamie Osborne, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Tommy O’Brien, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park; 1 Andrew Porter, 2 Ronan Kelleher, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 James Ryan, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 6 Ryan Baird, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Nick Timoney.
Replacements: 16 Tom Stewart, 17 Tom O’Toole, 18 Sam Illo, 19 Darragh Murray, 20 James McNabney, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Ciaran Frawley, 23 Stuart McCloskey.