Uncapped Connacht centre Hugh Gavin will start for Ireland against Portugal on Saturday, following Leinster’s Jamie Osborne being called up to the British & Irish Lions squad.
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Gavin joins fellow uncapped teammates Shayne Bolton and Alex Kendellen in the starting XV, while Calvin Nash moves onto the replacements bench.
This change also updates the Ireland men’s cap numbers for the debutants (awarded alphabetically by surname): Shayne Bolton (1,175), Hugh Gavin (1,176), and Alex Kendellen (1,177).
Paul O’Connell spoke on the call-up and team changes ahead of Ireland’s 765th Men’s Test, live on Virgin Media, kicking off in Lisbon.
Ireland Starting XV
- Jimmy O’Brien (Naas RFC / Leinster) (9 caps)
- Tommy O’Brien (Blackrock College RFC / Leinster) (1)
- Hugh Gavin* (Galwegians RFC / Connacht)
- Stuart McCloskey (Bangor RFC / Ulster) (20)
- Shayne Bolton* (Connacht)
- Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution FC / Munster) (25)
- Craig Casey (Shannon RFC / Munster) (captain) (19)
- Jack Boyle (UCD RFC / Leinster) (3)
- Gus McCarthy (UCD RFC / Leinster) (5)
- Thomas Clarkson (Blackrock College RFC / Leinster) (7)
- Tom Ahern (Shannon RFC / Munster) (1)
- Darragh Murray (Buccaneers RFC / Connacht) (1)
- Ryan Baird (Dublin University FC / Leinster) (28)
- Alex Kendellen* (UCC RFC / Munster)
- Cian Prendergast (UCD RFC / Connacht) (4)
Replacements
- Tom Stewart (Ballynahinch RFC / Ulster) (3)
- Michael Milne (UCD RFC / Munster) (1)
- Tom O’Toole (Ballynahinch RFC / Ulster) (16)
- Cormac Izuchukwu (Ballynahinch RFC / Ulster) (2)
- Max Deegan (Lansdowne FC / Leinster) (3)
- Ben Murphy (Clontarf FC / Connacht) (1)
- Ciaran Frawley (UCD RFC / Leinster) (8)
- Calvin Nash (Young Munster / Munster) (11)
*Uncapped players
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Four Lions Who WON’T Feature in the Test Series vs Australia
With the first Test just over a week away, the Lions coaches are narrowing down their selections — and the pressure is at boiling point.
While some players have grabbed their chances, others have faltered at the worst possible moment.
Whether it’s form, fitness, or simply being outplayed by teammates, these four big names look set to miss out when the Lions take on the Wallabies in the Test arena.
1. Fin Smith
Opportunity missed.
There was a real sense that Fin Smith needed a standout showing to stay in the mix for the No.10 jersey — especially with Owen Farrell lurking and Marcus Smith offering more versatility.
Instead, the Saints fly-half delivered two underwhelming performances. He looked nervy against Argentina and struggled to control the game against the Waratahs, forcing too much and paying the price with errors.
With Finn Russell locked in and both Farrell and Marcus Smith ahead of him, Fin’s Test hopes have likely faded.
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2. Pierre Schoeman
Overpowered when it mattered most.
The Lions scrum was meant to be a weapon — but against the Western Force, it was anything but. Schoeman struggled to assert himself and was part of a front row that got bullied.
With Ellis Genge putting in a dominant display the previous week, the Scottish loosehead couldn’t have picked a worse time to fall short. His usual power and edge just weren’t there.
Ireland’s Andrew Porter looks primed to take the bench role, leaving Schoeman on the outside looking in.
3. Duhan van der Merwe
Class is permanent — but form is everything.
Four years ago, Duhan van der Merwe was the Lions’ wrecking ball. But this tour, he’s looked sluggish, short on sharpness, and lacking his usual cutting edge.
Injuries have clearly disrupted his preparation, and it’s shown. Defensively vulnerable and ineffective in attack, he’s lost serious ground.
With James Lowe and Tommy Freeman both impressing, it’s hard to see how Duhan forces his way back into the Test conversation in time.
4. Tom Curry
Not the return he needed.
Few positions are more hotly contested than openside flanker — and Tom Curry just hasn’t done enough to separate himself. Against the Brumbies, he worked hard and managed an assist, but it wasn’t clean.
Turnovers, penalties, and a second-half fade led to an early substitution. Meanwhile, Jac Morgan and Josh van der Flier are ticking all the boxes, and Ben Earl’s versatility adds even more value.
Curry’s class is undeniable, but on current form, he looks set to miss the Test 23.
