Rugby

Quinn Roux poised for debut as Joe Schmidt rings changes for Ireland

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt is making five changes for his side's second test with South Africa on Saturday
Ireland coach Joe Schmidt is making five changes for his side's second test with South Africa on Saturday Ireland coach Joe Schmidt is making five changes for his side's second test with South Africa on Saturday

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has made five changes to his team for Saturday's second Test against South Africa with second-rower Quinn Roux set for his debut against the country of his birth.

The Connacht lock finished the season out of favour at his province but has been chosen to partner Devin Toner in a new-look Ireland team to face the Springboks at Ellis Park.

Schmidt has made another big call by dropping Mike Ross from his matchday 23 entirely, promoting his Leinster team-mate Tadhg Furlong off the bench for his first start. Finlay Bealham covers the tighthead prop position off the bench.

Furlong impressed as a replacement in Ireland's 26-20 win over the Boks at Newlands last weekend, but faces the biggest test of his fledgling career in Johannesburg.

Ireland celebrate a historic first ever test victory in South Africa

Roux's inclusion sees Iain Henderson switch to blindside flanker, with Rhys Ruddock named at openside as he comes in for Jordi Murphy.

Behind the scrum, Stuart Olding replaces his Ulster colleague Luke Marshall, while Craig Gilroy comes in for Keith Earls.

On the bench, Donnacha Ryan is a surprise inclusion ahead of Ultan Dillane, while Sean Reidy and Tiernan O'Halloran are poised for their international debuts.

Craig Gilroy will replace Keith Earls for the second test in Newlands

Meanwhile, South Africa have made just two enforced changes to their team for the second Test as Elton Jantjes replaces the injured Pat Lambie and Pieter-Steph du Toit comes in for Lood de Jager in the second row.

Morne Steyn is selected on the bench, as Ruan Combrinck and Franco Mostert are also named among the replacements.

South Africa team: W le Roux; JP Pietersen, L Mapoe, D de Allende, L Mvovo; E Jantjes, F de Klerk; T Mtawarira, A Strauss (capt), F Malherbe; E Etzebeth, P-S du Toit; F Louw, S Kolisi, D Vermeulen.

Replacements: B Mbonambi, T Nyakane, J Redelinghuys, F Mostert, W Whiteley, R Paige, M Steyn, R Combrinck.

Ireland team: J Payne; A Trimble, R Henshaw, S Olding, C Gilroy; P Jackson, C Murray; J McGrath, R Best (capt), T Furlong; D Toner, Q Roux; I Henderson, R Ruddock, J Heaslip.

Replacements: R Strauss, D Kilcoyne, F Bealham, D Ryan, S Reidy, K Marmion, I Madigan, T O'Halloran.