Tadhg Furlong misses out as Andy Farrell names starting team for New Zealand clash

Ireland will be without Tadhg Furlong for Friday's clash with New Zealand after the front forward lost his fitness battle.

Connacht's Finlay Bealham takes Furlong's place in a front row that also includes a passed-fit Ronan Kelleher and Andrew Porter.

Jack Crowley has edged out Ciaran Frawley to start at out-half alongside number nine Jamison Gibson-Park, while Mack Hansen returns to the side on the wing. Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose form a very familiar centre pairing.

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As expected, Ireland captain Caealan Doris is joined in the back row by experienced duo Josh van der Flier and Tadhg Beirne, while Joe McCarthy and James Ryan are in the engine room.

Andy Farrell has plenty of experience to draw upon from the bench, with Rob Herring, Cian Healy, and Tom O'Toole providing front-row cover, while Iain Henderson and Peter O’Mahony options in the second row and the back row.

Conor Murray, Ciaran Frawley and Jamie Osborne are the backline options as Ireland look to avenge an agonising Rugby World quarter-final defeat to the All Blacks last year.

Farrell said: "I am really pleased with the effort of the squad across the week’s training camp in Portugal.

"Since assembling at the IRFU High Performance Centre last week, the players have brought real application to training and it’s great to see a number of players back from injury, which is testament to their diligence and the superb work of the medical team.

"It’s a hugely exciting four weeks ahead in Aviva Stadium and we know we’ll need to perform at a high level to beat a top-class New Zealand side.

"The challenge doesn’t come much bigger or better than New Zealand at a packed Aviva Stadium on a Friday night, under lights, with a home crowd roaring us on."

Ireland: Hugo Keenan; Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, Finlay Bealham; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Tadhg Beirne, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt).

Replacements: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Tom O'Toole, Iain Henderson, Peter O'Mahony, Conor Murray, Ciarán Frawley, Jamie Osborne.

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