Rob Baloucoune has returned to the starting team as Andy Farrell named his Ireland team to face the All Blacks this Saturday.
The Ulster flyer has been unable to take part in the Nations Championship thus far after being pulled out of the Wallabies win prior to kick-off due to a tight hamstring. His replacement that day was Jimmy O’Brien and it’s the Leinster winger who gets the nod on the left wing ahead of Jamie Osborne and Jacob Stockdale.
At fullback it’s Hugo Keenan once again who’ll be looking to replicate his star performance in that 33-31 win in Sydney. Garry Ringrose and Stuart McCloskey partner each other once again in the centres, with Robbie Henshaw unfortunate to miss out on the 23.
Stuart McCloskey of Ireland is tackled by Takuro Matsunaga, left, and Dylan Riley of Japan. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Then Sam Prendergast gets the nod in 10 and he’s joined by his Leinster teammate Jamison Gibson-Park in the half-backs.
In the pack, Tadhg Beirne is in at blindside flanker after captaining Ireland’s win over Japan last Saturday. He’s joined in the back row by Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan, while Joe McCarthy and James Ryan lock it down in the second row.
Up front, Farrell has continued with the Tom O’Toole at loosehead experiment as the loosehead deputised at 1 once again with Ireland captain Dan Sheehan at hooker and Tadhg Furlong returning to tighthead after being rested last week.
Tom O’Toole dives over to score his side’s second try. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
On the bench, Jeremy Loughman joins Ronan Kelleher and Thomas Clarkson as front row replacements. Meanwhile Nick Timoney is joined by Sean Jansen, who gets the nod ahead of Cian Prendergast after an impressive debut against Japan last week.
Bundee Aki, who too was impressive in his cameo against Japan, is on the bench while Craig Casey and Ciarán Frawley round out the matchday 23 for Eden Park.
The All Blacks haven’t lost at the Auckland venue since 1994, and it’s a scalp Andy Farrell is desperate to chalk off his list. With a fully fit squad to choose from, will this combination be enough?
Our team for Saturday night at Eden Park. 👊 pic.twitter.com/5BoeL3WCff
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) July 15, 2026