Aside from this having the same Nations Championship<\/a> points at stake as last week and next week, above all else for many individuals chances like this don\u2019t come along very often. After this Test and New Zealand, Ireland play Argentina, Fiji and South Africa, plus a play-off match next November and then there\u2019s only the Six Nations before two or three warm-up World Cup matches.<\/p>\n So this seemingly low-ley game in low-key Newcastle will actually be a momentous one for many players. First and foremost, there are the four debutants \u2013 Sean Jansen, Billy Bohan, Sam Illo and Bryn Ward \u2013 who were presented with their caps in the team hotel on Wednesday.<\/p>\n This is a huge game for them and their families, as it is for Tadhg Beirne<\/a> in his first outing as Ireland captain and for R\u00f3nan Kelleher<\/a> on his 50th cap, landmarks in which Andy Farrell<\/a> places great store.<\/p>\n Farrell was palpably excited about the four debutants, but also those being afforded another relatively rare chance. <\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s four firsts, but there\u2019s also opportunities for lads to have another crack and prove to everyone that they\u2019re here to stay.\u201d <\/p>\n Among this category are both wingers, Jimmy O\u2019Brien and Jacob Stockdale, and both half-backs, Craig Casey and Ciar\u00e1n Frawley<\/a>. Before Frawley\u2019s switch to Connacht and a concerted effort to make outhalf his position, this first Test start in the position gives Frawley a big opportunity to re-enter the 10 debate. <\/p>\n \u201cIt is, and we want him to grab it with both hands,\u201d Farrell said. \u201cIt\u2019s a fantastic opportunity for him and for everyone else who\u2019s in a similar boat really about their intentions of wanting to push to start and push to be in this squad going forward over the next 18 months.<\/p>\n \u201cHe deserves his opportunity to do this. Obviously, it\u2019s been stop-start for him for all sorts of different reasons. But we\u2019re super excited to see him take the reins. He has run the week really well, like we know he can.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s him believing in what he\u2019s got in his locker and he\u2019s got plenty, so getting it out there on the pitch at the weekend is something that we\u2019re excited about.\u201d<\/p>\n Asked if Frawley had come out of his shell, Farrell said: \u201cThat\u2019s certainly got a lot better over the last two years. He\u2019s certainly demanding, coming out of himself, understands the game, what he wants to get out of his team and also himself. I\u2019ve seen that growth from strength to strength, not just this week, but over the last six months or so.\u201d<\/p>\n This is also \u201ca big game\u201d for Craig Casey<\/a> \u201cbecause he\u2019s desperate. I think sometimes he\u2019s been a little bit too desperate to do well. I think sometimes that can get in your way a little bit. He\u2019s been great this week, he\u2019s trained the house down and he\u2019s ready for a big game.\u201d <\/p>\n![\"Ciarán](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/MADBEZ4ZYFGS5HAKEMYO5HUBKE.jpg\")
Ciar\u00e1n Frawley in rugby squad training on Tuesday in Sydney. Photograph: Ben Brady\/Inpho <\/p>\n![\"Sam](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/EKS3EZ2OSVHYHHGHWPJGQ3EQA4.jpg\")
Sam Illo is to make his Ireland debut on Saturday. Photograph: Billy Stickland\/Inpho <\/p>\n
![\"Billy](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GNS6PS2EFBBI7CIYQYBJZXAJCQ.jpg\")
Billy Bohan in training at the Leichhardt Oval, Sydney. Photograph: Ben Brady\/Inpho <\/p>\n