“There is no better way to test people than to throw them into the arena,” said Schmidt. Andrew Conway gets a chance at fullback as Rob Kearney makes way despite only featuring in three games this season. An interesting selection is Andrew Porter’s first start at tighthead prop. Porter’s education at tighthead is being accelerated with an eye to the 2019 world cup in Japan. John Ryan’s calf strain has become Porter’s “fantastic opportunity.”“It’s the acid test for Andrew, undoubtedly.

Source: The Irish Times November 16, 2017 13:52 UTC