Sport

Ireland vs Fiji preview

Ireland take on Fiji in the latest instalment of the Autumn Nations Series.

Andy Farrell’s side come into the game having beaten South Africa 19-16 last Saturday.

The game has been sold out once again and hope of gaining a ticket is growing slimmer by the minute.

Not to worry, here is a rundown of TV channel’s team news, what’s been said and everything else associated with the game.

Dublin , Ireland - 21 November 2021; Tadhg Furlong of Ireland. (Photo By Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

WHEN IS IT ON ?

It's a Saturday 1.00pm kick-off.

WHERE IS IT ON ?

Aviva Stadium

WHERE CAN I WATCH THE MATCH?

The game will be shown live on Virgin Media Two with coverage starting at 12pm. It will also be streamed on the Virgin Media Player and Amazon Prime.

IRELAND'S RECORD AGAINST Fiji

This will be only the fifth time that the two teams have met in a Test match. Ireland have won all four previous encounters, most recently scraping past Fiji 23-20 during the 2017 autumn internationals.

The sides first met on November 18 1995 in an autumn Test at Lansdowne Road in a 44-8 win for Ireland. They've met on three other occasions, a 64-17 win on November 17 2002, and a 41-6 win on November 21 2009

ARE THERE STILL TICKETS AROUND?

No, they have been sold out.

TEAM NEWS FOR BOTH SIDES

Fiji team TO PLAY IRELAND

Fullback: 15. Setareki Tuicuvu

Winger: 14. Jiuta Wainiqolo

Centres: 13.,Waisea Nayacalevu, 12. Kalaveti Ravouvou

Winger: 11. Vinaya Habosi

Out half: 10.Viliame Mata Scrumhalf, 9.Frank Lomani

Front row:1. Eroni Mawi, 2. Sam Matavesi, 3.Manasa Saulo

Second row: 4. Isoa Nasilasila, 5. Ratu Leone Rotuisolia

Backrow: 6. Albert Tuisue, 7.Levani Botia, 8 Viliame Mata

Replacements: 16. Mesulame Dolokoto, 17 Livai Natave 17.Lee-Roy Atalifo, 18. Apisalome Ratuniyarawa,19.John Dyer, 20. Simione Kuruvoli, 21 Ben Volavola, 22Adrea Cocagi

IRELAND TEAM TO PLAY Fiji

Fullback: 15: Jimmy O’Brien

Winger: 14: Robert Baloucoune

Centres: 13:, Robbie Henshaw 12. Stuart McCloskey

Winger: 11: Mack Hansen

Out half: 10 Joey Carbery Scrumhalf, 9. Jamison Gibson Park

Front row: 1 Jeremy Loughman, 2. Rob Herring 3. Tadhg Furlong (C)

Second row: 4. Kieran Treadwell 5. Kieran Treadwell

Backrow: 6. Tadhg Beirne 7. Caelan Doris 8. Nick Timoney

Replacements 16. Dan Sheehan 17. Cian Healy, 18.Tom O’Toole 19. Cian Prendergast, 20. Max Deegan 21. Craig Casey, 22. Jack Crowley, 23. Garry Ringrose

Your Ireland line up to face Fiji at a sold-out Aviva Stadium! ✊#TeamOfUs | #IREvFIJI

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) November 10, 2022

ODDS FOR THE GAME

https://www.oddschecker.com/rugby-union/ireland-v-fiji/winner

WHAT THE COACHES SAID

Andy Farrell: "Test matches are not gimmes, certainly at this stage. Test matches have to be earned."

Vern Cotter: “We will have to step up against Ireland,” Cotter said.

"There is three main access we are working on; we want to work on how we carry the ball and clean the ball so have to provide a fast ball. We want to improve our defence and we want to be on top of our game in our set piece.