Eire launch their Autumn Nations Sequence fixtures with Friday night’s mouthwatering conflict towards New Zealand.
The All Blacks, who knocked Andy Farrell’s males out of final 12 months’s Rugby World Cup, arrive in Dublin on the again of a 24-22 win towards England.
Right here, we pick out a number of the fundamental speaking factors forward of the sold-out Aviva Stadium showdown.
Revenge not on the agenda
Eire gamers on media responsibility this week have admitted the World Cup exit by the hands of the All Blacks nonetheless stings.
But they – and head coach Farrell – have every burdened revenge just isn’t a consideration going into what guarantees to be a titanic tussle.
Except for that agonising 28-24 quarter-final defeat in Paris, Eire have had New Zealand’s quantity in the course of the Farrell period.
A memorable 29-20 Dublin win three autumns in the past was adopted by a historic 2-1 tour success in 2022.
Whereas victory on Friday night can not make up for the heartbreak suffered at Stade de France, Eire shall be wanting to proper some wrongs.
Scrum struggles
Struggles on the scrum have been a contributing issue to Eire’s quest to carry the Webb Ellis Cup falling quick simply over 12 months in the past.
They might want to rectify these points if they’re to alter the result this time round and should accomplish that with a rejigged entrance row.
Damage has disadvantaged the hosts of star tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong, leading to a begin for Finlay Bealham, whereas they seem rusty at hooker.
With first-choice quantity two Dan Sheehan sidelined, Ronan Kelleher is thrust straight in after recovering from an ankle difficulty. Alternative hooker Rob Herring has not performed this season.
Captain Caelan
Eire quantity eight Caelan Doris is already being touted as Farrell’s captain for subsequent 12 months’s British and Irish Lions tour of Australia.
The in-form 26-year-old has a significant alternative to additional stake his declare for that position this month after taking the captaincy from Peter O’Mahony.
Doris first skippered Eire towards Italy on this 12 months’s Six Nations earlier than main his nation to July’s series-levelling 25-24 win towards South Africa in Durban.
“He’s thriving within the position now,” Farrell stated of Doris’ management. “You’ll be able to see that, he’s definitely strolling tall. He’s taken all of it in his stride and that places everybody else comfortable.”
Further edge
Eire needed to wait 111 years for a victory over the All Blacks. But, together with their landmark 40-29 success in Chicago in 2016, the Six Nations champions have received 5 of the final 9 conferences.
Farrell was a part of Joe Schmidt’s teaching employees for the primary two of these triumphs earlier than masterminding the final three.
The Englishman believes New Zealand now have higher respect for Eire and feels latest outcomes have given the fixture a higher edge.
“It is a high, high stage Check match that everybody needs to be concerned in,” he stated. “We wish to be up there competing with the perfect.”
All Blacks eyeing enchancment
New Zealand have been inches away from dropping at Twickenham final weekend.
England fly-half George Ford struck the posts with a late penalty earlier than a subsequent drop-goal try drifted broad because the All Blacks held on by the best of margins.
Scott Robertson’s facet will virtually definitely have to up their sport in an effort to topple the world’s top-ranked facet.
Head coach Robertson, who changed Ian Foster after the Kiwis completed runners-up on the World Cup, has been compelled into two adjustments.
Skilled pair Beauden Barrett and Codie Taylor are unavailable because of concussions, presenting alternatives to fly-half Damian McKenzie and hooker Asafo Aumua.
READ MORE: Eire vs All Blacks Match Preview
