CONNACHT AND ULSTER will have two new internationals come Sunday morning after Robbie Henshaw and Stuart Olding were both handed senior debuts for the Test against the US Eagles.
Both men have enjoyed a meteoric rise to this level after impressive seasons in the Pro12 while also representing Ireland at the under 20 grade.
Henshaw (who will only turn 20 next Wednesday) starts in his now-familiar role of fullback while Olding will form an Ulster midfield alongside Darren Cave – four years after his last cap for his country.
There are full debuts too. In the pack, Iain Henderson and Dave Kilcoyne will make their sixth and seventh appearance respectively, the first from the start.
Much of the focus, however, will naturally be drawn to Ian Madigan. His impressive display of goal-kicking display added to his natural flair have put him in the side ahead of Paddy Jackson who held the jersey at the tail end of the Six Nations.
Jackson must now console himself with a start against Canada next weekend. Indeed, just as Madigan will start alongside Isaac Boss on Saturday night, Jackson will likely be partnered by his provincial team-mate Paul Marshall in Toronto.
Engine room
Tour captain in the absence of Rory Best, Peter O’Mahony leads the side from number eight with Chris Henry on the openside and Henderson packing down behind a second row of Mike McCarthy and Devin Toner.
Aside from Kilcoyne, there is a familiar look to the front row with Mike Ross and Richardt Strauss leading the charge.
In the back three, Henshaw will have no shortage of fire-power on his wings, where Simon Zebo and Fergus McFadden will offer a variety of threat.
On the bench, two more Munster men will hope to win their first international cap. Mike Sherry is replacement hooker and Tommy O’Donnell covers all three back-row positions. Felix Jones completes the Munster contingent, just under two years on from narrowly missing out on a place in the World Cup squad.
Ireland (v US Eagles): R Henshaw; F McFadden, D Cave, S Olding, S Zebo; I Madigan, I Boss: D Kilcoyne, R Strauss, M Ross; M McCarthy, D Toner; I Henderson, C Henry, P O’Mahony (Capt.)Replacements: M Sherry, J Hagan, T Court, D tuohy, T O’Donnell, P Marshall, P Jackson, F Jones.
