World News Irish debutant starts vs S Africa in unfamiliar role Blog

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Ireland have named never-capped Jamie Osborne at full-back for their first test against South Africa at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday, despite not having played in that position for the past 18 months.

Peter O’Mahony will lead the team as blindside flanker in the first of the two Test series against last year’s world champions.

Osborne, 22, normally plays at centre for Leinster but was brought in as a replacement for Hugo Keenan, who has joined the Irish sevens team for the Paris Olympics.

Craig Casey was selected to replace the injured Jamison Gibson-Park, leaving the experienced Conor Murray of the British & Irish Lions on the bench.

Coach Andy Farrell opted for a classic formation with five strikers and three defenders on the bench.

Ireland: Jamie Osborne, Calvin Nash, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, James Lowe, Jack Crowley, Craig Casey, Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier, Peter O’Mahony (c), Tadhg Beirne, Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Furlong, Dan Sheehan, Andrew Porter

Substitutes: Ronan Kelleher, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Conor Murray, Ciaran Frawley, Garry Ringrose.

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