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Craig Casey to lead Ireland into battle against Georgia

Craig Casey to lead Ireland into battle against Georgia

RTÉ News​a day ago
Craig Casey will captain Ireland for the first time when Ireland face Georgia in Tbilisi in the first of two Tests on Saturday.
Interim Ireland head coach Paul O'Connell has named the Munster scrum-half in a half-back partnership alongside Sam Prendergast, with Stuart McCloskey and Jamie Osborne set to link up in midfield.
Winger Tommy O'Brien will make his debut in a back three which includes his provincial colleague Jimmy O'Brien and Jacob Stockdale, who is set to earn his 39th cap.
Stockdale needs one more try to become the 21st Ireland player to score more than 100 points for the national side and the first since Jack Crowley.
Connacht's Darragh Murray makes his debut in a second-row partnership alongside Cormac Izuchukwu.
Jack Boyle, hooker Gus McCarthy and Thomas Clarkson start in the front row, with Ryan Baird, Nick Timoney and number eight Gavin Coombes named in the back row to complete the starting pack.
In all, there are potentially four further debutants on the replacements bench, with the Munster duo of Michael Milne and Tom Ahern as well as the Connacht pair of Jack Aungier and scrum-half Ben Murphy in line to make their respective international bows.
That quartet are joined by fellow replacements Tom Stewart, Cian Prendergast and Calvin Nash.
Looking ahead to the fixture at Mikheil Meskhi Stadium (kick-off 6pm Irish time), O'Connell said: "I have been impressed by the application of the squad ahead of this two-Test tour and Saturday's game presents an exciting opportunity for this group of players.
To Craig, I would like to congratulate him on his first game as captain. Craig has taken to captaincy impressively. He's going to relish leading his country and I know how keen he is to make his mark alongside the rest of the players.
"This weekend is also an extra special one for six players who are set to make their international debuts.
"To Tommy and Darragh, who get the chance to start, as well as the four others who will be ready to make their mark from the bench, I wish them well and the squad are determined to make it a memorable occasion for them and their families.
"Though light in terms of international caps in some areas, there's also a nice blend of experience in the squad."
Ireland Team named for @GEORGIARUGBY match.
2⃣ new caps to start
4⃣ uncapped players on the bench #TeamofUs #WeAreIreland
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) July 3, 2025
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Payment methods (deposit and withdrawal): Finally, the available payment methods offered by a site are also a massive factor in deciding whether it should be recommended or not. 👉 How to bet on tennis If you want to bet on tennis in Ireland, all you need to do is follow these steps: Select from one of the tennis betting sites listed in this guide and follow the link provided. During the sign-up process, you will need to provide some personal information, including your name, date of birth, email address, and phone number. When making your first deposit, do not forget to claim any welcome bonuses you might be eligible for. Find the tennis section. This will be listed in 'Sports A-Z'. During Grand Slams and major events like Wimbledon, it is likely to be displayed on the home page. Find the market you want to bet on, and add your selection to your betting slip. Enter your stake, double-check everything is correct, and hit 'place bet'. Sit back, cross your fingers, and enjoy Wimbledon! READ MORE SUN STORIES 🙋‍♂️ FAQS about the best tennis betting sites Do you still have some questions about betting on tennis? Let's take a look at some of the most frequently asked questions our readers have. 1. How can I compare which bookies have the best odds for an upcoming tennis match? Odds comparison sites can be an excellent way of comparing odds for tennis matches. We also recommend checking out our detailed bookie reviews here at The Sun. 2. When are the best times to place bets on upcoming tennis matches/tournaments? We would always recommend monitoring the odds for an event and trying to capitalise on them at the best time. This will vary between bookies, with some offering promotional odds just before an event starts, and others running price boosts throughout a tournament. 3. Why are tennis tournaments a good way to use a sports betting promotion? The action comes thick and fast during tennis tournaments, making them ideal for sports betting bonuses and promotions. The early stages of a tournament often feature a lot of matches, and this gives you plenty of opportunity to find value and capitalise on features like bet boosts and bet builders. 4. Which players should I keep an eye on, and how can I follow the sport (and those players)? The top three players in men's tennis right now are Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Alexander Zverev. The top women's tennis players are Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Jessica Pegula. You can follow these players by monitoring PTA and WTA tournaments throughout the year. 5. What should I factor in before placing a bet on one of the Grand Slams? There are many important factors to consider when betting on a player at a Grand Slam. Previous performance, record on that surface, the weather, and any injuries are all things that should be considered. About the author Craig Mahood Craig Mahood is an expert in sports betting and online casinos and has worked with the company since 2020. He joined the Betting & Gaming team at The Sun in June 2022 and works closely with the leading bookmakers and online gaming companies to provide content on all areas of sports betting and gaming. He previously worked as a Digital Sports Reporter at the Scottish Sun, covering Scottish football with particular focus on Celtic and Rangers, As well as football, he has covered horse racing, boxing, darts, the Olympics and tennis for the Sun. Responsible gambling A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chase their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry, or depressed Problem gambling – Gamble Aware – Help with gambling addiction If you have a problem with gambling, or you know someone who does, help is out there. Extern Problem Gambling is the leading provider of information, treatment, advice, and support for anyone affected by gambling harms across Ireland. Most read in Betting

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