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Ireland will be seeking to put together a convincing performance in their one-off rugby union test with Fiji today after two below-par displays against New Zealand and Argentina.
Head coach Andy Farrell has made several changes to the starting XV, as Fiji seek to beat the Irish for the first time in what is their sixth meeting.
The Fijians arrive with a pep in their step after beating Wales earlier this month and fancy their chances of an even bigger scalp in the Six Nations champions.
The crowd-pleasing, physically imposing Fijians have yet to beat the Irish in five previous meetings but they have come on leaps and bounds since their last defeat, 35-17 at Lansdowne Road in 2022.
They will be encouraged too that Farrell has selected a side with two new caps and the unproven but exciting prospect Sam Prendergast at fly-half.
Fijian scrumhalf Frank Lomani made much on Wednesday of meeting the Irish at a good time because they are vulnerable after the error-strewn 23-13 defeat by New Zealand and a far from convincing display in the 22-19 win over Argentina.
Farrell welcomes such comments and although he denies he wants a “statement win” after the poor fare served up thus far, he hopes Lomani’s remarks fire up the players.
“You think the lads don’t read it but they do,” said Farrell. “They might tell you that they don’t but they do, 100 percent they do. It’s great. It’s what you want.” – SuperSport
dyton mupawaenda
Online Reporter