Ireland name McNabney on bench as Farrell makes seven changes

Ireland have named uncapped Ulster forward James McNabney among their replacements as Andy Farrell announced seven changes to his starting side for the Nations Championship match against Fiji. BBC Sport reported the selection on Thursday, with Nick Timoney moving to number eight and Mack Hansen switching to full-back as part of the reshuffle.

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McNabney’s inclusion follows a lengthy recovery from a serious knee injury. According to BBC Sport, the 23-year-old missed the entire 2025-26 season after damaging his anterior cruciate ligament and has started only one match for Ulster this season. His place on the bench gives him the opportunity to make his senior international debut, although a first cap still depends on him entering the game.

The changes also reflect several injury absences. Caelan Doris, Jack Conan and Sean Jansen are unavailable, leaving Timoney to move from open-side flanker to the back of the scrum. Josh van der Flier returns at open-side. BBC Sport also reported that Ronan Kelleher replaces Dan Sheehan at hooker after Sheehan was ruled out with concussion.

Connacht Rugby’s squad announcement confirmed Tadhg Beirne as captain for the fixture at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on Saturday, November 14. James Ryan joins him in the second row, with Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong retained at prop. Ryan Baird continues at blind-side flanker in a back row completed by Van der Flier and Timoney.

In the backs, Bundee Aki has recovered from illness and is selected alongside Jamie Osborne in midfield, Connacht Rugby confirmed. Jamison Gibson-Park partners Sam Prendergast at half-back. Hansen’s move to full-back places him behind a wing pairing of Robert Baloucoune and Tommy O’Brien. The selection follows Ireland’s bonus-point victory over Argentina at the start of their November programme.

McNabney is one of five forward replacements, alongside Tom Stewart, Tom O’Toole, Sam Illo and Darragh Murray. Craig Casey, Ciaran Frawley and Stuart McCloskey provide the backline cover. Connacht Rugby listed an 8.10pm kick-off and said more than 46,000 tickets had been sold for the match.