Ireland vs Fiji Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2024 Autumn Internationals
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Ireland seek to further distance themselves from their recent defeat to the All Blacks by taking on a Fiji team who come off a come-from-behind victory over Spain.
Start date/time: Saturday 23rd November, 2024, UK – 3:10pm / US ET – 10:10am / US PT – 7:10am
How to watch on tv: UK – TNT Sports / US – Peacock
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / US – Peacock
Ireland Form: Win over the Pumas
A fast start from Ireland, who were twice reduced to ten men, is what ultimately won them a tight contest with Argentina last week, as Andy Farrell’s men bounced back from their defeat to New Zealand a week prior.
Like it was against the All Blacks though, Ill-discipline was an issue against the Pumas as both Finlay Bealham and Joe McCarthy spent time in the sin-bin, while several penalties were conceded to the opposition throughout the contest.
LAST FIVE: WLWLW
Fiji form: Two victories following Ireland defeat
Fiji’s Autumn Nations Series didn’t get off to the best of starts with a 57-17 defeat at the hands of Scotland, but they have responded well to the defeat with victories over Wales and Spain.
The win over Spain last weekend was not exactly straightforward though, as they were trailing 19-7 before scoring four tries in the last half-hour to complete the turnaround.
LAST FIVE: WWLWW
Ireland Team News: Gus McCarthy & Cormac Izuchukwu in-line for debuts
Squad: 15 Jamie Osborne, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Craig Casey, 8 Caelan Doris (c), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Cormac Izuchukwu, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Gus McCarthy, 1 Andrew Porter
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Tom O'Toole, 18 Thomas Clarkson, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Cian Prendergast, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Ciaran Frawley, 23 Stuart McCloskey
Fiji Team News: Regulars return but Semi Radradra still suspended
Squad: 15 Vuate Karawalevu, 14 Jiuta Wainiqolo, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu (c), 12 Josua Tuisova, 11 Ponepati Loganimasi, 10 Caleb Muntz, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Eroni Mawi, 7 Tevita Ikanivere, 6 Luke Tagi 5 Mesake Vocevoce, 4 Temo Mayanavanua, 3 Meli Derenalagi, 2 Kitione Salawa, 1 Elia Canakaivata
Replacements: 16 Sam Matavesi, 17 Haereiti Hetet, 18 Samu Tawake, 19 Setareki Turagacoke, 20 Albert Tuisue, 21 Peni Matawalu, 22 Vilimoni Botitu, 23 Sireli Maqala
Ireland vs Fiji Prediction
Ireland are of course heavy favourites here but Fiji will hope their opponents have one eye on their final Autumn Nations Series contest against Australia next week.
Andy Farrell will be keen to see an improvement when it comes to discipline here, and that has likely been the focus of much of the training in the week leading up to Saturday’s meeting in Dublin. Fiji may have taken the scalp of Wales recently, but Ireland are a significantly better team, and the scoreline is likely to be something closer to the Scotland result at the beginning of the month.
Ireland vs Fiji Tip: Ireland to win with -18 handicap
