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Portugal come into this game in the middle of a rebuild! Its a historic game to welcome Ireland to the Estadio Nacional but they would much to have the form around their 2023 Rugby World Cup escapades! Ireland come off the back of a convincing win against Georgia last week in Tbilisi but are rotated once again. Sam Prendergast is out of the side this week after probably one of his best performances in an Ireland Shirt. Jamie Osborne is also whisked off to be injury cover for the Lions, and after a huge performance last week. He will be a miss for the Ireland attack too.
Portugal come into this game in the middle of a rebuild! Its a historic game to welcome Ireland to the Estadio Nacional but they would much to have the form around their 2023 Rugby World Cup escapades! Ireland come off the back of a convincing win against Georgia last week in Tbilisi but are rotated once again. Sam Prendergast is out of the side this week after probably one of his best performances in an Ireland Shirt. Jamie Osborne is also whisked off to be injury cover for the Lions, and after a huge performance last week. He will be a miss for the Ireland attack too.
Portugal have a few notable names missing from the line up today around availability. However, with the 1 Summer International in their schedule. They are all in with the preparations, they got to warm up against the Lions before they travelled out to Australia. Having spoke with players in the camp, they were buoyed to pitch themselves against them in preparation for Ireland too. Hooker Luka Begic is back after missing the end of the REC, Portugal really missed him in the set piece. Nicolas Martins will be keen to carry on his to level form against a Tier 1 nation too. Expect a fast paced game with the partnership of Hugo Camacho and Hugo Aubry looking to exploit the gaps and spin the ball coast to coast as quick as possible. Manuel Cardoso Pinto will be buoyed off the back of his Super Rugby Americas title with Penarol last month too! Captain Tomás Appleton will be looking to make a statement too, having spoke with him a couple of weeks ago, he is keen to build the new Portugal way under his captaincy. Ireland will be a great test but what a stunning venue to put them to test too!
Ireland played a blinding game last week against Georgia in Tbilisi. The weather was horrendous but it worked in the favour of Ireland, they were clinical when they got the chance, but also left a few out there due to the weather. I expected a tougher test for them against the Georgians at home but it didn’t come. Sam Prendergast is not in the side after a great performance but gives Jack Crowley the chance to show what he has to still offer for Ireland! Captain Craig Casey will look to eploit the gaps when they present themselves, and Ireland will probably find their most luck with the hard running carries again. Cian Pendergast starts at 8 and looking to continue his strong form this season, even when out of position. Hugo Gavin comes straight in on his debut after Jamie Osborne was whisked away to Australia. Stuart McCloskey had a strong game last week, until his yellow card last weekend too. With him being the main point for the centre partnership, he will be looking to test the Portugal defence. Then Tomy O’Brien scored a brace after 7 minutes last week, but butchered his hat trick opportunity, I am sure he will be looking to go one better this weekend.
I was wildly off the mark last week with a Georgia victory, so I am going to say Ireland will be the likely victors this week. But we will be witnessing a high scoring game! Fingers crossed!
