IRELAND BOSS ANDY Farrell is set to welcome key man Jamison Gibson-Park back into what looks like being a strong starting XV for Saturday’s Nations Championship game against Fiji in Dublin.

Scrum-half Gibson-Park came off the bench in last weekend’s win against Argentina, with Craig Casey impressing as the starter at number nine, but Farrell looks likely to restore Gibson-Park to the starting side this time around.

Rónan Kelleher is expected to start at hooker after skipper Dan Sheehan was ruled out of this Fiji fixture due to concussion, while James Ryan is in contention to come into the second row after also being used off the bench against the Pumas.

And yet, it looks as though Farrell may avoid making sweeping changes against the Fijians, who are ranked ninth in the world and were well beaten by France last weekend.

The likes of centre Stuart McCloskey and blindside flanker Ryan Baird may be involved again this weekend as Ireland continue to build towards the big clash with South Africa in Dublin on 21 November.

Gibson-Park could get his halfback partnership with Sam Prendergast up and running against the Fijians, although Ciarán Frawley would relish a chance at out-half after making a good start to life with Connacht.

Farrell has had to weigh up whether to make further changes in key positions or give his frontline combinations time together this weekend. 

The showdown with Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks looks like the most important game of the month, even with a play-off the following weekend in London, and Farrell may give his key men every chance to bring momentum into the visit of the South Africans to Dublin.

Ireland are simultaneously keen to get maximum return from this meeting with Jake White’s Fiji as they continue to jostle for top spot in the Northern Hemisphere table, so the expectation is that Ireland will name a side with a strong element of continuity from last weekend.

There have been injuries for Ireland to nurse this week, with openside flanker Josh van der Flier’s involvement suffering an ankle injury after coming off the bench against Argentina, although he finished the game.

Number eight Sean Jansen has been ruled out of the rest of this month’s campaign with the knee injury he sustained last weekend, meaning there will be at least one change to the Irish back row, with van der Flier possibly included in the starting side if fit.

The IRFU said right wing Rob Baloucoune came off with a cramp last weekend, while left wing Mack Hansen took a knock to the ankle but finished the game.

Farrell may like to see Baloucoune and Hansen go again with Hugo Keenan in the back three that did such damage against Argentina. Tommy O’Brien would be favoured to come into the back three if Farrell does make a change.

Robbie Henshaw and McCloskey were strong in midfield last time around, although Bundee Aki would love a chance to play against Fiji after being ruled out of the Argentina clash late on due to illness, with his bench slot going to Jamie Osborne, who is also a contender to feature again.

Tadhg Beirne seems likely to feature again and could captain Ireland in Sheehan’s absence, while the frontline prop duo of Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong might benefit from another start as they get set for a huge scrum challenge against South Africa. 

Andy Farrell is due to officially confirm his match day 23 for the Fiji game at 2pm on Thursday.