MEASURED SCHMIDT
Duo set for debut as boss saves firepower for All Black battle
FORWARDS (15): BACKS (11):
WILL ADDISON and Ross Byrne are in line for Ireland debuts in Chicago next Saturday as Joe Schmidt has left most of his big guns at home.
Ulster centre Addison and Leinster out-half Ross Byrne , below, are the only uncapped players among the 26-strong playing party that has made the trip for the
Soldier Field clash with Italy.
Ireland skipper Rory Best heads the list of big names who have remained at
Carton House to prepare for the Aviva Stadium encounters with Argentina and New Zealand that follow the Italy clash.
Only six of the travelling party have more than 20 caps to their name – and all six are forwards with Sean Cronin leading the way on 62, closely followed his Leinster team-mate Devin Toner on 60.
Also at home are Johnny Sexton, Peter O’mahony, CJ Stander, Sean
O’brien, Rob
Kearney, Robbie
Henshaw, Cian Healy,
Iain Henderson, James
Ryan and Keith Earls.
Conor Murray didn’t make Schmidt’s extended 42 man panel as he is only returning from a neck injury.
And with Kieran Marmion also at home and likely to start against the Pumas, Luke Mcgrath or John Cooney will start at scrum-half in Chicago.
Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose – the most experienced back travelling with 14 caps – are expected to line out at centre against Conor O’shea’s Azzurri.
But Addison, who has been outstanding for Ulster since his summer move from Sale Sharks, will see game time.
Similarly Byrne, who was on the victorious Australia tour in the summer but wasn’t capped, should make his bow off the bench.
And Munster star Joey Carbery is set to start at No.10 at the ground where he made his Test debut as a replacement for Sexton in the historic victory over the All Blacks two years ago.
The Italy game also gives the likes of Tadhg Beirne, Jack Mcgrath, Andrew Conway and Darren Sweetnam to press their claims.