Ireland face Fiji for the just the fifth time on Saturday as Andy Farrell's side look to build on their impressive win over world champions South Africa and claim an 11th successive home victory.
The 19-16 triumph over the Springboks was Ireland’s 15th win in 17 matches and while they are expected to extend that run on Saturday, it won’t come easy against a Fijian outfit that caused plenty of problems for Scotland last weekend.
All four previous meetings between the nations also took place in Dublin, Ireland winning on each occasion, but just three points separated the sides when Fiji last visited in 2017.
Stuart McCloskey, Joey Carbery, Rob Herring and Jack Conan all started that 23-20 victory five years ago, Conan scoring one of Ireland’s three tries, and they will again feature as Andy Farrell rings the changes for their second autumn outing.
Fiji scored two first-half tries against Scotland and got over the gain line with 64% of their carries, while they dished out some ferocious defensive hits.
However, the story behind Fiji’s downfall in Edinburgh was a familiar one. Three yellow cards, a struggling set-piece and errant goalkicking resulted in them failing to score for the final 56 minutes and fading badly in the second half.
TV
Ireland v Fiji is live on Virgin Media Two and Amazon Prime. Virgin’s coverage begins at midday with Amazon on air at 12.30pm.
RADIO
Listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1.
ONLINE
Follow a live blog on RTE.ie/sport and the RTÉ News App followed by a match report, player ratings and post-match reaction from the Aviva Stadium.
WEATHER
Plenty of cloud about on Saturday but some hazy sunny spells are expected. It will be largely dry for the afternoon, staying mild with highs of 13 to 16 degrees with fresh south or southeast breezes.
After such a physical clash with South Africa, Andy Farrell finds himself without a host of frontliners.
Johnny Sexton, Hugo Keenan, Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier, James Ryan and Andrew Porter are all absent, with Garry Ringrose and Dan Sheehan named on the bench.
Tadhg Furlong does start, however, and is handed the Ireland captaincy for the first time, while Tom O’Toole’s selection as replacement tighthead suggests Finlay Bealham could be given a starting role against the Wallabies.
Munster prop Jeremy Loughman makes his Ireland debut, with fellow uncapped pair Jack Crowley and Cian Prendergast among the replacements.
Joey Carbery wears the No 10 shirt for the first time since the Six Nations win over Italy in February, while Robbie Henshaw and Stuart McCloskey form the midfield partnership after overcoming injuries.
After making an electric debut against South Africa, Jimmy O’Brien is rewarded with his first start and replaces Keenan at full-back.
There is also a start for Kieran Treadwell, his first since July 2017, with Ulster team-mate Nick Timoney and Jack Conan named alongside Caelan Doris in the back row.
Fiji make a number of changes to their backline, with Teti Tela coming in at out-half and Setareki Tuicuvu moving to full-back.
Ireland: Jimmy O’Brien; Robert Baloucoune, Robbie Henshaw, Stuart McCloskey, Mack Hansen; Joey Carbery, Jamison Gibson-Park; Jeremy Loughman, Rob Herring, Tadhg Furlong (capt); Kieran Treadwell, Tadhg Beirne; Caelan Doris, Nick Timoney, Jack Conan.
Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Cian Healy, Tom O’Toole, Cian Prendergast, Max Deegan, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Garry Ringrose.
Fiji: Setareki Tuicuvu; Jiuta Wainiqolo, Waisea Nayacalevu (capt), Kalaveti Ravouvou, Vinaya Habosi; Teti Tela, Frank Lomani; Eroni Mawi, Sam Matavesi, Manasa Saulo; Isoa Nasilasila, Ratu Leone Rotuisolia; Albert Tuisue, Levani Botia, Viliame Mata.
Replacements: Mesulame Dolokoto, Livai Natave, Lee-Roy Atalifo, Apisalome Ratuniyarawa, John Dyer, Simione Kuruvoli, Ben Volavola, Adrea Cocagi
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (FFR)
AR 1: Tual Trainini (FFR)
AR2: Jordan Way (ARU)
TMO: Chris Hart (NZR)
Andy Farrell: "While we feel we have made strides in all sorts of different areas, this is a good game to see where we are.
"I got asked last week, 'is this the biggest game you have ever been involved in' and I said it is until next week because that [win against South Africa] has gone and this Fiji game is here now. This is all that matters because you are going to get judged in your performance, so there are still the same pressures on that."
Vern Cotter [Fiji head coach]: "Ireland's game against South Africa has given them an enormous amount of confidence and they are barely looking at us because they have Australia the week after. For them, it's just a training session and for us, it’s a game where we can learn so we will use this opportunity to get better.
"They are a very good team. They are not only physical but very slick, very good short passing game, in and around rucks, they can move the ball wide quickly and they have a better kicking game."
PAST MEETINGS
Ireland 23-20 Fiji - Aviva Stadium, Dublin (18 November 2017)
Ireland 41-6 Fiji - RDS, Dublin (21 November, 2009)
Ireland 64-17 Fiji - Lansdowne Road, Dublin (17 November, 2002)
Ireland 44-8 Fiji - Lansdowne Road, Dublin (18 November, 1995)
Ireland v South Africa is one of six major Test matches across the weekend.
Italy’s game against Australia in Florence kicks off at the same time as Ireland v Fiji, while an under-pressure England tackle Japan at Twickenham at 3.15pm.
Wales host Argentina at 5.30pm with France facing world champions South Africa in Marseille at 8pm.
There is also one game on Sunday as Scotland face New Zealand at Murrayfield (2.15pm).
After such a physical clash with South Africa, and with one eye on next weekend's game against Australia, Andy Farrell has opted to rest a host of frontliners.
Johnny Sexton, Hugo Keenan, Peter O'Mahony, Josh van der Flier, James Ryan and Andrew Porter have been given the weekend off, with Garry Ringrose and Dan Sheehan named on the bench.
Tadhg Furlong does start, however, and is handed the Ireland captaincy for the first time, while Tom O'Toole's selection as replacement tighthead suggests Finlay Bealham could be given a starting role against the Wallabies.
Munster prop Jeremy Loughman makes his Ireland debut, with fellow uncapped pair Jack Crowley and Cian Prendergast among the replacements.
Joey Carbery wears the No 10 shirt for the first time since the Six Nations win over Italy in February, while Robbie Henshaw and Stuart McCloskey form the midfield partnership after overcoming injuries.
After making an electric debut against South Africa, Jimmy O'Brien is rewarded with his first start and replaces Keenan at full-back.
Ulster lock Kieran Treadwell makes his first Ireland start since July 2017, partnering Tadhg Beirne in the engine room, with Nick Timoney and Jack Conan named alongside Caelan Doris in the back row.
Ireland: Jimmy O'Brien; Robert Baloucoune, Robbie Henshaw, Stuart McCloskey, Mack Hansen; Joey Carbery, Jamison Gibson-Park; Jeremy Loughman, Rob Herring, Tadhg Furlong (capt); Kieran Treadwell, Tadhg Beirne; Caelan Doris, Nick Timoney, Jack Conan.
Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Cian Healy, Tom O'Toole, Cian Prendergast, Max Deegan, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Garry Ringrose.
Fiji: TBC
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (FFR)
AR 1: Tual Trainini (FFR)
AR2: Jordan Way (ARU)
TMO: Chris Hart (NZR)
Coach quotes
PAST MEETINGS
Ireland 23-20 Fiji - Aviva Stadium, Dublin (18 November 2017)
Ireland 41-6 Fiji - RDS, Dublin (21 November, 2009)
Ireland 64-17 Fiji - Lansdowne Road, Dublin (17 November, 2002)
Ireland 44-8 Fiji - Lansdowne Road, Dublin (18 November, 1995)
Ireland v South Africa is one of six major Test matches across the weekend.
Italy's game against Australia in Florence kicks off at the same time as Ireland v Fiji, while an under-pressure England tackle Japan at Twickenham at 3.15pm.
Wales host Argentina at 5.30pm with France facing world champions South Africa in Marseille at 8pm.
There is also one game on Sunday as Scotland face New Zealand at Murrayfield (2.15pm).
" />Listen to the RTÉ Rugby podcast on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Follow a live blog on Ireland v Fiji on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app this Saturday from 1pm with live radio commentary on RTÉ Radio 1.
Watch highlights of the Women's Rugby World Cup final on Saturday from 6pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
