Darragh Murray will earn his second Ireland cap against Portugal in Estádio Nacional do Jamor, Lisbon on Saturday.
Ireland Men’s interim Head Coach Paul O’Connell has handed two debuts in the starting XV with Connacht’s Shayne Bolton lining out on the left wing.
The back three features Leinster duo Jimmy O’Brien, who continues at full-back and right wing Tommy O’Brien.
The backline sees one further change from the side that defeated Georgia in Tbilisi last weekend. Munster’s Jack Crowley is set to earn his 26th appearance at out-half alongside Captain Craig Casey who continues at scrum-half.
Stuart McCloskey and Jamie Osborne will link up once more in midfield.
Up front, Munster’s Alex Kendellen, who led Emerging Ireland on last year’s winning tour to Bloemfontein, will make his first international appearance in the back-row. The back-row includes Ryan Baird and the returning Cian Prendergast.
Tom Ahern comes in for his first start having made his debut in Tbilisi last weekend. Ahern will partner Darragh Murray at second row, with the front row of Jack Boyle, Gus McCarthy and Thomas Clarkson unchanged.
