Ireland captain Caelan Doris is set to travel to Chicago with the national squad in anticipation of their highly anticipated match against New Zealand on November 1st. Doris, who has been sidelined since undergoing shoulder surgery in May, has shown promising signs of a comeback by participating in training sessions with his club, Leinster. Despite missing the Lions tour to Australia, he has reportedly been engaging in modified contact drills and has been in good spirits, as noted by Ireland’s scrum coach, John Fogarty.
For the upcoming match, the Ireland squad will also include Munster centre Tom Farrell and Leinster back Jimmy O’Brien, who have been brought in as injury cover for Mack Hansen, who is unable to play due to a foot injury sustained while with Connacht.
In the lead-up to their clash against the All Blacks, Ireland’s coaching staff are aware of recent performances, particularly a disappointing showing from the Leinster contingent, who previously dominated the game but experienced a setback against Munster at Croke Park. Fogarty expressed confidence in key players like Tadhg Furlong and Andrew Porter to rise to the occasion, emphasizing that sometimes such defeats can serve as a valuable wake-up call.
With both nations having an equal standing in their rivalry—each claiming five victories since Ireland’s historic win in 2016—the upcoming match presents a significant challenge for Ireland. New Zealand has won their previous encounters, making this rematch an essential opportunity for Ireland to assert themselves.
Fogarty mentioned the importance of team preparation and mentality, stating that understanding the weight of wearing the green jersey and representing Ireland is paramount for the players. He is confident that the squad will take the necessary steps to ensure they are ready for the significant challenge ahead.