Ireland debuts for O’Brien and Murray in Georgia

Tommy O’Brien and Darragh Murray will make their debuts for Saturday’s Test against Georgia, according to interim Ireland head coach Paul O’Connell.

Jimmy O’Brien and Jacob Stockdale complete the back three for Ulster, who won the United Rugby Championship. O’Brien starts on the wing, and O’Brien has impressed for Leinster.

Connacht’s Murray will also make his first appearance for the game at Mikheil Meskhi Stadium (18:00 BST), and he will play alongside Cormac Izuchukwu from Ulster in the second row.

Michael Milne and Jack Aungier, the son of Ulster head coach Richie, and Connacht scrum half Ben Murphy, both of whom are debuting off the bench, could make their debuts.

The back line is completed by Jamie Osborne and Stuart McCloskey at the beginning.

The front row includes Leinster’s Ryan Baird, Ulster’s Nick Timoney, and Munster’s number eight Gavin Coombes, while Murray and Izuchukwu start at lock and are joined by Jack Boyle, Gus McCarthy, and Thomas Clarkson.

Caelan Doris and center Robbie Henshaw are both injured, and Ireland are without 16 players who are serving in Australia as members of the British and Irish Lions.

After injury-related campaigns, Iain Henderson and Rob Herring, two other experienced campaigners, were not chosen.

In preparation for this two-test tour, the squad’s application impressed me, and Saturday’s game offers a fantastic opportunity for this group of players, O’Connell said.

I wish Tommy and Darragh the best of luck and that the squad is determined to make it a memorable occasion for them and their families, as well as the four others who will be ready to make their mark from the bench.

Although the squad has few international caps, there is still a good mix of experience.

O’Connell will lead the Lions’ head coach against Georgia and Portugal in Lisbon a week later, under the direction of Andy Farrell, who is already in charge.

In their absence, O’Connell is joined by provincial coaches Denis Leamy, Mike Prendergast, and Colm Tucker on tour with Farrell’s assistants, Simon Easterby, John Fogarty, and Jason Goodman.

Ireland have won all five of their previous Test matches against Georgia, but this is their first encounter with a cap in Tbilisi.

Ireland: J O’Brien, T ‘OBrien, J Osborne, S McCloskey, J Stockdale, S Prendergast, C Casey (capt), J Boyle, G McCarthy, T Clarkson, C Izuchukwu, D Murray, R Baird, N Timoney, and G Coombes.