What time and TV channel is Ireland vs Portugal in international rugby action
Munster back-row Alex Kendellen, Connacht centre Hugh Gavin and south African-born Connacht winger Shayne Bolton gain their first Ireland caps.
The 24-year-old Kendellen made his Munster debut in March 2021 just eight short of 1has played 92 times for the province.
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21-year-old Gavin was originally selected on the bench but Jamie Osborne's Lions call sees him start at no13. He made 11 appearances this season at Connacht eight in the starting line-up.
Bolton was particularly impressive for Ireland 'A' against England last February and started 13 of his 14 Connacht appearances this season, scoring seven tries.
Craig Casey is once again captain having taken also taken that task for Georgia.
Ryan Baird and Cian Prendergast represent 'senior' players in the pack, Leinster front-row Jack Boyle, Gus McCarthy and Thomas Clarkson all played 2025 Six Nations while Tom Ahern makes a first start following his Tbilisi debut.
Where and when is the match being played? Estádio Nacional do Jamor, Lisbon which has a 37,593 capacity
7pm local/7pm Irish.
Referee: Adam Leal (Eng), Assistant Referee 1: Anthony Woodthorpe (Eng), Assistant Referee 2: Ben Whitehouse (Wales) TMO: Meteo Liperini (Italy)
Did you know? Portugal are ranked 18th in the world in rugby ahead of Tonga, Chile and Romania 19-21.
Did you know? The last time Jack Crowley started at out-half with Craig Casey starting at scrum-half was July 6th 2024 against south Africa in 2024. South Africa won 27-20
Did you know? Ireland have never played Portugal in an official international rugby match before.
Did you know? the Estádio Nacional do Jamor, Lisbon, has the traditional home of the Portuguese Fa Cup final since 1946. Portugal's soccer team have played 50 games there since 1946, beating Ireland 3-1 in 1946 and 2-0 in 1948.
Ireland Interim Head Coach Paul O'Connell said: 'I have been really pleased with the attitude of the players over the last number of weeks and this is another opportunity to go out and try to play our game. " said O'Connell.
"The dedication and diligence of the squad in testing conditions over in Tbilisi demonstrated the players' willingness to embrace challenges and hopefully that bodes well again.
"Portugal are another impressive emerging side who look to play an exciting brand of rugby. We know that we're in for another battle hopefully in front of another big crowd of travelling supporters."
Ireland matchday captain Craig Casey added: "I think their no15 is absolutely class, Nuno Sousa Guedes, his feet are absolutely electric. The right winger, Simao Bento, he's a very, very good player as well.
"I actually played against their no13 Vincent Pinto for French under 20s we know him quite well.
"Their no7 Nicolas Martins is a massive threat for them I think, he's awesome at the breakdown, he's a good carrier for them. He's kind of their talisman and they also look for their no12 Tomas Appleton, their captain.
"So we know quite a lot about them and we're excited for the game. We know how special it is for Portugal but it's also special for us as well."
The game kicks off 7pm local and 7pm Irish/UK time and will be broadcast live on Virgin Media.
Portugal 25/1
Draw 50/1
Ireland 1/80
The handicap is Portugal +33
Betting Tip - Notwithstanding the tale of the training spin ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, drawing with Georgia and beating a by-then disorganised Fiji side by a point was a notable achievement. That +33 could be a good bet.
IRELAND v Portugal, Estádio Nacional do Jamor, Lisbon, 7pm local/7pm Irish, Virgin Media): Jimmy O'Brien (Leinster); Tommy O'Brien (Leinster), Hugh Gavin (Connacht)*, Stuart McCloskey (Ulster), Shayne Bolton (Connacht)*; Jack Crowley (Munster), Craig Casey (Munster) capt; Jack Boyle (Leinster), Gus McCarthy (Leinster), Thomas Clarkson (Leinster), Tom Ahern (Munster), Darragh Murray (Connacht), Ryan Baird (Leinster), Alex Kendellen (Munster)*, Cian Prendergast (Connacht)
Replacements: Tom Stewart (Ulster), Michael Milne (Munster), Tom O'Toole (Ulster), Cormac Izuchukwu (Ulster), Max Deegan (Leinster), Ben Murphy (Connacht), Ciaran Frawley (Leinster), Calvin Nash (Munster)
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