DUBLIN (Reuters) - Young flyhalf Sam Prendergast will make his first Ireland start against Fiji on Saturday after an impressive debut off the bench last week, one of seven changes that includes first caps for flanker Cormac Izuchukwu and hooker Gus McCarthy.
The Six Nations champions have had a stuttering November series so far, relinquishing their 19-game home unbeaten run against New Zealand before almost giving up a big halftime lead in last week's narrow victory over Argentina.
Coach Andy Farrell was exasperated with the second half last week but heaped praise on how the "composed" 21-year-old Prendergast controlled the game and helped defend a three-point lead when he came on for the last quarter.
The emergence of Prendergast, a highly touted prospect who was still a member of Leinster's academy 15 months ago, adds to the contest to fill Johnny Sexton's number 10 jersey that Munster's Jack Crowley initially wrestled control of.
Elsewhere, Leinster's Jamie Osborne, nominated this week for the World Rugby breakthrough player of the year award, comes in at fullback to win his fifth cap after a similarly eye-catching cameo off the bench last week.
The other changes include a recall for the rejuvenated Jacob Stockdale, the 28-year-old Ulster winger who is Ireland's joint-sixth highest all-time try scorer but has struggled to capture top form in recent years.
Bundee Aki also returns at centre and Craig Casey gets a start at scrumhalf in a side that is still stacked with Six Nations winners and not treating the Fijians lightly.
"There were signs of improvement last weekend and this week has been about building and embracing the challenge of a talented Fijian side who will be coming over to Dublin full of confidence after their recent displays," Farrell said.
Team:
15-Jamie Osborne, 14-Mack Hansen, 13-Robbie Henshaw, 12-Bundee Aki, 11-Jacob Stockdale, 10-Sam Prendergast, 9-Craig Casey, 8-Caelan Doris (captain), 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
(Reporting by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Ken Ferris)
