Overview
- Andy Farrell will name his official match-day 23 at 2pm on Wednesday and faces late decisions over form and fitness ahead of the 8.10pm Friday kick-off.
- Connacht wing Mack Hansen, prop Andrew Porter and back-row Ryan Baird have rejoined contention after long injury absences and are expected to push for starting places.
- With regulars Caelan Doris and Jack Conan sidelined, Sean Jansen is the leading candidate to start at number eight after earning two caps in the July window.
- Sam Prendergast remains a fitness doubt after a wrist injury picked up in Leinster training, while Jamison Gibson-Park has recovered from a groin problem and is likely to keep the nine shirt.
- Porter has trained at tighthead for Ireland, a move that highlights Farrell’s tactical flexibility up front and means the returning players materially deepen Ireland’s pack for the November window.