Ireland v Samoa (Sat)

Joe Schmidt’s Ireland era starts with a tricky game against a Samoa side whose world ranking of seventh puts them one place above the Irish.

Samoa’s chances of repeating their 1996 Lansdowne Road win over the Irish could be affected by the squad’s injuries.

Stade Francais centre Gavin Williams and Toulouse prop Census Johnston are among the Samoan absentees.

For Ireland, new captain Paul O’Connell is only fit enough for a bench role

while Jonathan Sexton misses out.

Sexton will not be risked at all in the game because of a hip injury, although he is expected to be in contention for the remaining November Tests against Australia and New Zealand.

With Sexton missing, Ulster’s Paddy Jackson starts at fly-half after an impressive beginning to the season for the northern province.

As O’Connell is on the bench Jamie Heaslip continues in the captaincy role which he filled in last year’s disappointing Six Nations campaign while Devin Toner and Mike McCarthy are named in the second row.

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Ireland coach Joe Schmidt praises Ulster duo Paddy Jackson and Chris Henry after selecting them to play against Samoa in Dublin on Saturday

O’Connell’s fellow Lions Cian Healy and Sean O’Brien are also only deemed fit enough for replacement roles so Leinster prop Jack McGrath is handed a first cap with Ulster’s Chris Henry drafted into the back row.

Schmidt looks certain to utilise his bench in the second half but the Irish management say that the key to the game will be displays of Ireland’s starters.

“We’ve got to make sure we start the game well and put ourselves in a strong position,” said Irish defence coach Les Kiss.

“If we don’t do that then the bench won’t be important and won’t be able to make any impact at all.

“They (Samoa) are a lethal unit if they get going, so we’ve been making sure our guys have their heads in the right place for this game.”

Northampton scrum-half Kahn Fotuali’i captains Samoa in the absence of centre Williams.

In addition to prop Johnston, Harlequins flanker Maurie Fa’asavalu, Worcester wing David Lemi, Perpignan lock Daniel Leo and full-back and place-kicker James So’oialo are also missing for the Pacific Islanders.

So’oialo, who starred in the 27-17 defeat of Scotland in Durban in June, recently left Irish province Connacht to return to New Zealand after failing to settle in Galway.

The Samoans are likely to be motivated to produce a big performance to honour the memory of

former captain Peter Fatialofa, who died on Tuesday

at the age of just 54.

The prop led Samoa to their shock 1991 World Cup win win over Wales at Cardiff Arms Park and a minute’s silence in his memory will be observed before Saturday’s kick-off in Dublin.

Match facts

Head-to-head

• Ireland have won four of the five meetings, with Samoa winning the 1996 clash at Lansdowne Road 40-25.
  


• Ireland have been victorious in the three other games at the Dublin venue, most recently in 2010 when they won 20-10.
  


• The only other clash between the countries saw Ireland winning 40-14 at Apia in June 2003.
  

Ireland

• Ireland have suffered defeats against England, Scotland and Italy in 2013
  


• The Irish did beat the USA and Canada in the summer and victory against Samoa would be the first time they have won three successive games since October 2011
  


• Only four of Saturday’s Ireland XV – Tommy Bowe, Brian O’Driscoll, Devin Toner and Jamie Heaslip – started the last meeting against Samoa in 2010
  

Samoa

• Samoa have won four of their last six Test matches, including wins over Italy and Scotland in the summer
  


• Victory over Ireland should maintain Samoa’s position, one place above Ireland in the world rankings.
  


• Four of Samoa’s XV – George Pisi, Kahn Fotuali’i, Sakaria Taulafo and Ofisa Treviranus – started in the 2010 clash in Dublin.
  

Team line-ups

Ireland:


15-Rob Kearney; 14-Tommy Bowe, 13-Brian O’Driscoll, 12-Gordon D’Arcy, 11-Fergus McFadden; 10-Paddy Jackson, 9-Conor Murray; 1-Jack McGrath, 2-Rory Best, 3-Mike Ross; 4-Devin Toner, 5-Mike McCarthy; 6-Peter O’Mahony, 7-Chris Henry, 8-Jamie Heaslip.

Replacements: 16-Sean Cronin, 17-Cian Healy, 18-Declan Fitzpatrick, 19-Paul O’Connell, 20-Sean O’Brien, 21-Eoin Reddan, 22-Ian Madigan, 23-Dave Kearney

Samoa:


15-Faatoina Autagavaia; 14-Alapat Leiua, 13-George Pisi, 12-Johnny Leota, 11-Brando Vaalu; 10-Tusi Pisi, 9-Kahn Fotuali’i (capt); 1-Sakaria Taulafo, 2-Ole Avei, 3-Logovi’i Mulipola; 4-Faatiga Lemalu, 5-Teofilo Paulo; 6-Ofisa Treviranus, 7-Jack Lam, 8-Taiasina Tuifua.

Replacements: 16-Tii Paulo, 17-Viliamu Afatia, 18-James Johnston, 19-Joe Tekori, 20-Alafoti Faosiliva, 21-Jeremy Su’a, 22-Isaia Tuifua, 23-Fautua Otto

Referee:


Steve Walsh (Australia)

Article source: http://www.scotsman.com/news/scotland/top-stories/former-scotland-rugby-international-on-rape-charge-1-3150028

Ireland v Samoa (Sat)