LOOK WHO’S BACK!
Just like old times: Ireland coach Ronan O’Gara joins in at training in New Jersey yesterday as the team prepare to take on the USA Eagles
IRELAND head coach Joe Schmidt has named an experimental side for tomorrow’s clash with the USA in New Jersey, with five players in line to make their international debuts. Jacob Stockdale starts on the left wing, with four fellow uncapped players named on the bench — hooker Dave Heffernan, tighthead Andrew Porter, second row James Ryan and centre Rory Scannell. Connacht’s Tiernan O’Halloran has been given the nod at full back ahead of Simon Zebo, with Leinster’s Joey Carbery handed the No 10 shirt as Luke Marshall and Garry Ringrose start in midfield. Kieran Marmion lines out at scrum-half with Keith Earls and Stockdale making up the back three with O’Halloran, as Schmidt looks to mix youth with experience with one eye on the 2019 World Cup in Japan. Rhys Ruddock will captain the side and is joined in the back row by Leinster teammates Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan, who will win just his second international cap with Ireland. The second row sees Quinn Roux paired with Devin Toner while Cian Healy, Ireland’s most experienced squad member who has already won 67 caps, Niall Scannell and John Ryan make up the front row. The game kicks off at 10pm Irish time (5pm local) in New Jersey’s Red Bull Arena and will be broadcast live on Eir Sport. Schmidt’s men will continue their summer tour by travelling to the Far East for two games with Japan over the following two Saturdays.