Crowley starts at 10 with Doris on bench for Ireland against All Blacks

Caelan Doris will start on the bench while returning captain Jack Crowley will play at fly-half for Ireland in their eagerly anticipated Chicago rematch against New Zealand.

Jack Conan will start at number eight while Dan Sheehan, who replaced Doris in the Six Nations victory over Wales earlier this year, will lead Ireland for the second time.

Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong, who both started tight-head prop in Ireland’s historic victory over the All Blacks at Soldier Field in 2016, join Sheehan and Andrew Porter in the front row.

Paddy McCarthy, a Leinster prop, has been chosen to start for the Tests.

With Jamie Osborne and Tommy O’Brien selected at full-back and right-wing, Hugo Keenan and Mack Hansen’s injuries have forced head coach Andy Farrell to change up his back three.

With Ryan Baird and Josh van der Flier joining Conan in the back row, Joe McCarthy’s foot injury places James Ryan in the second row alongside Tadhg Beirne.

Bundee Aki, who has been dealing with a hip injury, will start on the bench alongside Garry Ringrose in midfield. In Ireland’s historic 2016 victory over the All Blacks, Ringrose and Van der Flier were absentee from the starting lineup.

“It’s a real honor to be back in Chicago to prepare for a significant game against New Zealand. There are going to be thousands of Irish supporters cheering us on, which will inspire the team, according to Farrell, who has been extremely well-liked by the local community.

“We are appreciating the historic significance of this game, and Paddy McCarthy, who is scheduled to make his international debut this weekend, is very excited.”

Crowley’s return to the 10 jersey is still significant despite its overbearing nature. The Munster man was Ireland’s first-choice scorer in the 2024 Six Nations title defense, but Sam Prendergast took his place during the autumn tests last year.

Crowley hasn’t lost Crowley in the competition, but he has already had a strong season and was key in Munster’s impressive win over Leinster in the United Rugby Championship.

After having shoulder surgery in May that prevented him from joining the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia, Doris has been sidelined since then. Farrell has since decided against risking the 27-year-old from the beginning.

This signifies that Sheehan’s career will take on a new significance on Saturday. The 27-year-old hooker has been one of Ireland’s top players in recent years, and he has now taken over the Lions and his country in the recent season after leading the tourists past Western Force.

Rory Best, a hooker, also assisted Ireland in the 2016 victory.

McCloskey, Best’s former Ulster teammate, will also have a big day. The 33-year-old won both games over the summer in Georgia and Portugal, but he has struggled to find runs-outs with the frontline team in recent years.