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Updated Jack Crowley starts as Ireland change six for Portugal

Jack Crowley starts at out-half for Ireland
Jack Crowley starts at out-half for Ireland

Ireland interim head coach Paul O'Connell has made six changes to his side for Saturday's second tour match against Portugal in Lisbon, with Jack Crowley starting at out-half and three debutants in the first XV.

Crowley comes in at out-half to replace Sam Prendergast, who drops out of the match-day squad, with Ciarán Frawley making his first appearance since November on the bench.

The three debutants are all in the starting team, with powerful Connacht wing Shayne Bolton coming into the side to replace the injured Jacob Stockdale, while Alex Kendellen makes his first Ireland appearance in the back row, and Cian Prendergast also in the starting side.

Connacht's Hugh Gavin is also named to start alongside Sturt McCloskey in the centre. The 21-year-old had been due to feature off the bench, but he's since been promoted to the starting team following Jamie Osborne's call-up to the British and Irish Lions squad.

The front row is unchanged from the 34-5 win in Georgia, with Leinster trio Jack Boyle, Gus McCarthy and Thomas Clarkson retained, while Tom O'Toole is included on the bench, along with loosehead Michael Milne and hooker Tom Stewart.

Munster's Tom Ahern comes in to the starting side at second row, having made his debut off the bench last week. The versatile forward replaces Cormac Izuchukwu, who is named on the bench, and partners Darragh Murray at lock.

Ryan Baird keeps his place following another impressive outing last week. Prendergast replaces Gavin Coombes at number 8, having missed out on last week's squad due to illness. Kendellen (below) starts at openside flanker, with Ulster's Nick Timoney making way.

8 July 2025; Alex Kendellen during an Ireland Rugby squad training at the Grupo Desportivo Direito in Lisbon, Portugal. Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Sportsfile

Craig Casey continues as captain alongside Crowley in the half-backs, with the Munster pair starting an Ireland game together for the first time since the first Test against South Africa last year.

McCloskey and Gavin team up in the centre, while Tommy O'Brien and Jimmy O'Brien also continue on the right wing and full-back, with Bolton coming in for debut on the left.

Bolton's Connacht team-mate Hugh Gavin is also in line for a debut off the bench, with the 21-year-old named in the 23 shirt for Saturday's game in Lisbon.


Ireland: Jimmy O'Brien; Tommy O'Brien, Hugh Gavin, Stuart McCloskey, Shayne Bolton; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey (capt); Jack Boyle, Gus McCarthy, Thomas Clarkson; Tom Ahern, Darragh Murray; Ryan Baird, Alex Kendellen, Cian Prendergast.

Replacements: Tom Stewart, Michael Milne, Tom O'Toole, Cormac Izuchukwu, Max Deegan, Ben Murphy, Ciarán Frawley, Calvin Nash.

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