IRELAND interim boss Paul O’Connel’s side face Portugal in Lisbon for their final summer Test.
Following up from last week’s 35-5 victory against Georgia in Tbilisi, Ireland face Portugal in their second and final summer Test match.
Ireland and Portugal have never faced each other in a Test rugby game before.
Os Lobos were back to back runners-up in the Europe International Championships in 2023 and 2024 behind Georgia who have won 12 of the last 13 competitions.
An inexperienced side are lining up for Ireland with so many players selected by Andy Farrell to tour Australia with the British & Irish Lions.
O’Connell’s team will be hoping to back up the good team performance against Georgia and get another positive result.
Here is everything you need to know before watching the game:
WHAT TIME IS KICK-OFF?
The match kicks-off at 7pm Irish time on Saturday July 12 in the Estádio Nacional do Jamor, Lisbon.
WHAT TV CHANNEL IS IRELAND VS PORTUGAL ON?
The Test is being shown live on Virgin Media One with coverage starting at 6:30pm for the 7pm kick-off.
It will also be available to stream live for free on the Virgin Media player.
WHAT ARE THE ODDS?
Despite losing key players to the Lions tour in Australia and handing out three debuts, Ireland are the extremely heavy favourites at 1/41 to win the match.
A Portugal home win is set at 50/1 and the odds of a draw are 200/1 with the handicap being set at 36 points in favour of O’Connell’s side.
WHAT HAS BEEN SAID IN THE BUILD-UP?
O’Connell was forced to reshuffle his side after the team announcement due to Jamie Osborne’s call-up to the Lions Australian tour.
The Leinster centre was due to start but will now be replaced by Connacht’s Hugh Gavin to make his Ireland debut.
He is joined by two other debutants as club teammate Shayne Bolton and Munster’s Alex Kendellen have been selected to start the Test.
One of last week’s five debutants Tom Aherne earns his first start for Ireland replacing Cormac Izuchukwu to partner Darragh Murray.
Captain Craig Casey retains his place but he will be joined by a different half-back partner.
Jack Crowley has got the nod over Sam Prendergast despite the Leinster out-half’s “excellent” performance last week.
O’Connell said: “It’s a very important position, out-half, more important than it’s ever been.
“This is an opportunity for Jack to own the week, run it and get after it. The two of them are quite supportive of each other.
“It’s another opportunity to give Jack more experience. Sam was excellent last week.”
