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Ireland centre Bundee Aki admitted his performance against New Zealand "just wasn't good enough" after he was dropped from the matchday squad to face Argentina last week.

Robbie Henshaw for Aki was the only change made to the starting side for the 22-19 win over the Pumas, but the Connacht man is restored to the number 12 jersey for today's game.

"I think we have high standards for each other, we have high standards as a group and we know for a fact - well, I know for a fact, speaking from my own experience from the New Zealand game - it just wasn't good enough," he said.

Aki, a World Rugby player of the year nominee in 2023, added that he took the news from Farrell "on the chin" and noted that competition at his position is fierce among the Ireland squad.

"You take it on the chin and you've just got to be better and take the opportunity of the week to nullify your mistakes and to be a better person and to be a better rugby player."

There was no way even Storm Bert was stopping that young fan from taking in his first Ireland match!

Fans will be streaming through the gates on what is a stormy autumnal afternoon in Dublin hoping to see their boys put on a show.

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Jonny Bell
Former Ulster and Ireland centre on BBC Radio Ulster

Cormac (Izuchukwu) has flown in the last couple of years since Richie Murphy has come up to Ulster. He's really standing out for Ulster this year with his carry power. He's an athlete and we try to get him on balls as much as we can.

The teams are out and are shaking hands with Irish President Michael D. Higgins ahead of the national anthems and the cibi.

Jonathan Bradley
BBC Sport NI

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What a rise it's been for Ireland's two debutants this afternoon!

A year ago, flanker Cormac Izuchukwu was playing for Ballynahinch in the All-Ireland League more often than he was featuring with Ulster. But after a strong end to last season with his province, he toured South Africa in the summer without seeing the pitch and now gets his first cap in the six jersey today.

Gus McCarthy has come from even further back having originally been included for this autumn series only as a 'training panellist'. Ireland have had injuries at hooker but, after only six senior appearances for Leinster, Farrell said the 21-year-old had "forced our arm" when it came to selection.

"Rugby is a strange thing," Farrell said this week at his team announcement.

"You think there's a pecking order and all of a sudden a couple of players get an injury then a kid gets an opportunity and he shows up really well when we take him on the training week with us as a development player.

"He showed up unbelievably well and he's forced our arm to keep him in the squad, first and foremost. And he deserves a shot to see what he can do as well."

Ireland's Jamie Osborne says the side must be wary of opponents who "can create something out of nothing" when they take on Fiji.

Ireland have never lost to Fiji but the tourists claimed the scalp of Wales in Cardiff two weeks ago.

"They're a very good side," said Osborne.

"They've a couple of gamebreakers in their team, players that can create something out of nothing.

"They can be hard to prepare for because you don't want to give them anything, any loose ball."

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Jonny Bell
Former Ulster and Ireland centre on BBC Radio Ulster

The expectation is just so high now with Ireland. This is a game that Andy Farrell has brought in some fresh blood, some young guys to add a little bit of spice and enthusiasm and they will certainly be looking to get some attacking verve in their game again.

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Caelan Doris says Ireland expect to return to a disciplined unit in today's game against Fiji after an autumn series which witnessed regular concessions of penalties and two yellow cards against Argentina last weekend.

Andy Farrell's men conceded 13 penalties against New Zealand, six of which Damien McKenzie knocked between the sticks while they then repeated that same number a week later against the Pumas as well as those two yellows mentioned above.

Read more here

Jonathan Bradley
BBC Sport NI

Waking up this morning it felt a day for the hat, gloves and scarf.

Storm Bert has subsided, though, as we get closer to kick-off.

Doesn't feel like the conditions will play too much of a part now...famous last words when it comes to Irish weather!

Those green and white seats will soon be full of expectant Irish fans and I am sure a splash or two of noisy and colourful Fijian fans!

The home fans will be hoping to cheer on their side to a consecutive victories as the Pacific Islanders roll into town full of confidence. They will be looking for another Six Nations scalp and a first ever win over the Irish.

Andy Farrell and his side will not want to go down in the rugby history books for the wrong reasons today and will need to be at the top of their game in order to avoid an upset.

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You can take the boy out of Athlone...

Robbie Henshaw has just revealed to TNT Sports what tunes he is listening to pre-match. You're probably expecting a bit of dance, hip hop or something else a bit more high-tempo.

But, no Robbie is listening to a bit of Zach Bryan on the bus from the hotel to the stadium. A man after my own heart!

Fiji's line-up to face Ireland shows three changes from their thrilling win over Wales in Cardiff a fortnight ago.

Head coach Mick Byrne had made wholesale changes for last week's win over Spain but has restored his frontline players for their visit to Aviva Stadium.

Ponipate Loganimasi replaces star winger Semi Radradra, who is suspended after being sent off against Wales.

Luke Tagi replaces Sam Tawake at tighthead prop Mesake Vocevoce is preferred to Isoa Nasilasila in the second row.

Fiji have never beaten Ireland and their last trip to Dublin ended in a 35-17 defeat in November 2022. Back row Albert Tuisue was red carded that day and he is on the bench in Dublin today.

Fiji: V Karawalevu; J Wainiqolo, W Nayacalevu (co-capt), J Tuisova, P Loganimasi; C Muntz, F Lomani; E Mawi, T Ikanivere (co-capt), L Tagi; M Vocevoce, T Mayanavanua; R Derenalagi, K Salawa, E Canakaivata.

Replacements: S Matavesi, H Hetet, S Tawake, S Turagacoke, A Tuisue, P Matawalu, V Botitu, S Maqal.

Image source, BBC Sport

Jonathan Bradley
BBC Sport NI

There'll be plenty of focus on the changes made by Andy Farrell for this one, most especially a first start for Sam Prendergast and debuts for Cormac Izuchukwu and Gus McCarthy.

On the whole, though, the head coach will likely be seeking an improved team performance rather than looking out for individuals.

Discipline is one area that needs immediate improvement but, in testing conditions, the aerial battle needs some work too.

Defeat to New Zealand was sobering, while the win over Argentina was improved but ultimately nervy. Will we see a step forward this afternoon?

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Ireland head coach Andy Farrell says he is "confident" Sam Prendergast can handle the biggest occasion of his young career after naming the 21-year-old Leinster fly-half in his team to face Fiji.

Farrell has handed Prendergast the number 10 jersey for the first time after he was used off the bench in the closing stages of last week's win over Argentina.

Prendergast has only started eight games for Leinster, but Farrell believes he is ready for the Test arena after impressing on the recent Emerging Ireland tour of South Africa.

"I'm confident from what we've seen. We took him on the Emerging [Ireland] and he played in all of those games," said Farrell.

"The aim of that was to grab hold of that team and make sure that he treated it like it was his own as though he was in charge and he did that in spades.

"This week we've seen the benefit of that but we need to see it transfer obviously."

Read more from Farrell on his team selection here.

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Bundee Aki adorns the front cover of the matchday programme as the Connacht man returns at inside centre having lost his place last week against Argentina.

There are also a pair of jerseys that I am sure will be in a frame soon for debutants Cormac Izuchukwu and Gus McCarthy. What a proud day it will be for them but there will be an entire swarm of butterflies in the pit of their stomach right now!

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It is a big day today for Ireland's two newest internationals as Ulster back row Cormac Izuchukwu and Leinster hooker Gus McCarthy will make their Ireland debuts against Fiji, with Sam Prendergast handed a first start at fly-half.

Izuchukwu, 24, is named at blind-side flanker with Tadhg Beirne moving into the second row, while 21-year-old Leinster front row McCarthy replaces Ronan Kelleher.

Prendergast, 21, will make his full debut after replacing Jack Crowley for the final 20 minutes of last week's narrow win over Argentina.

Also in the backs, Jamie Osborne replaces Hugo Keenan at full-back, Bundee Aki returns in midfield, Craig Casey is named at scrum-half and Ulster's Jacob Stockdale is recalled to the left wing as Farrell makes seven changes to face Fiji.

It is a proud day for the Prendergast family as Sam's older brother Cian is also in the matchday squad as he is named among the replacements. Also waiting for their chance to make an impact off the bench are four Ulster men as front rowers Rob Herring and Tom O'Toole are joined by Iain Henderson and the returning Stuart McCloskey.

Ireland: Jamie Osborne; Mack Hansen, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale; Sam Prendergast, Craig Casey; Andrew Porter, Gus McCarthy, Finlay Bealham; Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne; Cormac Izuchukwu, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt).

Replacements: Rob Herring, Tom O'Toole, Thomas Clarkson, Iain Henderson, Cian Prendergast, Conor Murray, Ciaran Frawley, Stuart McCloskey.

Image source, BBC Sport

Good afternoon and welcome to our live text commentary of the Autumn Nations Series game between Ireland Fiji at the Aviva Stadium. Ireland responded to their defeat against New Zealand in game one of the Autumn Nations Series by defeating Argentina 22-19 last week but it was not a convincing performance by any stretch.

It is a much-changed team for Andy Farrell as he gives some younger players their chance to shine in front of an expectant home crowd at the Aviva Stadium.

However, any thoughts that this will be a comfortable afternoon for the hosts should be forgotten as the Flying Fijians arrive in Dublin riding the crest of a wave. This comes after an historic win in Cardiff over Wales a fortnight ago which they followed up with a 33-19 win over Spain last week.

It is shaping up to be a fascinating encounter that you can also listen to on BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds.

Thanks for joining us - enjoy!

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