Ireland change five for second Springbok Test

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has named a team with five changes and three uncapped players for this Saturday’s second test against South Africa in Johannesburg.

Schmidt has included Quinn Roux, Sean Reidy and Tiernan O’Halloran for their first Ireland caps

There are five personnel changes to the team that claimed an historic win over South Africa last weekend and a further five new faces among the replacements.

Hooker Rory Best captains the side for the 11th time and is joined in the front row by Jack McGrath and Tadhg Furlong, who comes in for his first international start at tighthead, while Devin Toner is partnered in the second row by debutant Quinn Roux from Connacht.

Iain Henderson switches to the blindside flank, taking over from the suspended CJ Stander, and Rhys Ruddock comes in at openside for his first start since November 2014, with vice-captain Jamie Heaslip at number 8.

Conor Murray and Paddy Jackson are retained at half-back, while Robbie Henshaw is joined in the centre by Ulster’s Stuart Olding, who is set for his first start since his debut against the USA three years ago. Henshaw also made his international bow that night in Houston.

Craig Gilroy is introduced on the left wing for his eighth cap, making it an all-Ulster back-three alongside Andrew Trimble and full-back Jared Payne.

Sean Reidy and Tiernan O’Halloran are the two uncapped players on the bench and they are joined by Richardt Strauss, Dave Kilcoyne, Finlay Bealham, Donnacha Ryan, Kieran Marmion and Ian Madigan.

Ireland

15. Jared Payne , 14. Andrew Trimble , 13. Robbie Henshaw , 12. Stuart Olding , 11. Craig Gilroy, 10. Paddy Jackson , 9. Conor Murray , 1. Jack McGrath , 2. Rory Best , 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Devin Toner , 5. Quinn Roux * , 6. Iain Henderson, 7. Rhys Ruddock, 8. Jamie Heaslip ,

Replacements: 16. Richardt Strauss , 17. Dave Kilcoyne, 18. Finlay Bealham , 19. Donnacha Ryan , 20. Sean Reidy* ,21. Kieran Marmion , 22. Ian Madigan, 23. Tiernan O’Halloran *

* Denotes uncapped player at this level