Ireland Debuts For O'brien And Murray In Georgia

Interim Ireland caput coach Paul O'Connell has handed debuts to Tommy O'Brien and Darragh Murray for Saturday's Test against Georgia.

O'Brien has been successful awesome shape for United Rugby Championship winners Leinster and starts connected nan wing, and Jimmy O'Brien and Ulster's Jacob Stockdale complete nan backmost three.

The crippled astatine nan Mikheil Meskhi Stadium (18:00 BST) will besides spot Connacht's Murray handed a first quality and he will partner Ulster's Cormac Izuchukwu successful nan 2nd row.

There could besides beryllium debuts disconnected nan chair for props Michael Milne and Jack Aungier, arsenic good arsenic Munster's Tom Ahern and Connacht scrum-half Ben Murphy, who is nan boy of Ulster caput coach Richie.

Craig Casey will skipper Ireland for nan first clip successful Tiblisi and will partner Sam Prendergast, who gets nan motion complete Jack Crowley astatine fly-half.

Stuart McCloskey and Jamie Osborne commencement astatine centre to complete nan backmost line.

Jack Boyle, Gus McCarthy and Thomas Clarkson dress up an all-Leinster beforehand row, Murray and Izuchukwu commencement astatine fastener and nan backmost statement consists of Leinster's Ryan Baird, Ulster's Nick Timoney and Munster number 8 Gavin Coombes.

Ireland are without 16 players who are connected British and Irish Lions work successful Australia, while skipper Caelan Doris and centre Robbie Henshaw are absent done injury.

Fellow knowledgeable campaigners Iain Henderson and Rob Herring were not considered for action aft campaigns interrupted by injury.

"I person been impressed by nan exertion of nan squad up of this two-Test circuit and Saturday's crippled presents an breathtaking opportunity for this group of players," said O'Connell.

"To Tommy and Darragh, who get nan chance to start, arsenic good arsenic nan 4 others who will beryllium fresh to make their people from nan bench, I wish them good and nan squad are wished to make it a memorable juncture for them and their families.

"Though ray successful position of world caps successful immoderate areas, there's besides a bully blend of acquisition successful nan squad."

O'Connell will beryllium nan side's caput coach against Georgia and again against Portugal successful Lisbon a week later pinch accustomed leader Andy Farrell starring nan Lions.

Farrell has brought his assistants Simon Easterby, John Fogarty and Jason Goodman connected circuit pinch him, pinch O'Connell joined by provincial coaches Denis Leamy, Mike Prendergast and Colm Tucker successful their absence.

Ireland person won each 5 of their erstwhile Tests against Georgia but this is nan first clip they will play a capped crippled successful Tbilisi.

Ireland: J O'Brien; T'OBrien; J Osborne, S McCloskey; J Stockdale; S Prendergast, C Casey (capt); J Boyle, G McCarthy, T Clarkson; C Izuchukwu, D Murray; R Baird, N Timoney, G Coombes.

Replacements: T Stewart, M Milne, J Aungier, T Ahern, C Prendergast, B Murphy, J Crowley, C Nash.