Ireland Name Seven Changes for Fiji Test, Beirne Captains at Home

Beirne's captaincy

Beirne first led Ireland in July's Nations Championship win over Japan, a 36-20 victory. He has missed just three Ireland Tests since the 2023 Six Nations Grand Slam campaign.

"It's particularly special doing it at the Aviva, at home," Beirne said. "My wife and daughter will be there, mum and dad will definitely be there, my sister."

He played all 80 minutes of last week's 42-12 win over Argentina in Dublin. Ireland led 21-5 at half-time and doubled that tally after the break. Beirne said they "could have got a lot more out of" the autumn opener.

"We laid down a foundation of how we want to play, but we're certainly not satisfied with that," he said. "There were patches of us playing really well there, but there were also patches where we weren't to the standard that we're going to hold ourselves to."

Points race with England

Ireland and England both sit on 15 competition points. England are 42 points better off on points difference, helped by a 73-8 win over Fiji in July and a 45-22 home win over Australia last week.

Ireland failed to score in the final quarter against Argentina, which could yet cost them a bonus point in the standings. Sky Sports reports that the final standings may decide who reaches the title decider.

To overtake England, Ireland must beat South Africa in Dublin while hoping New Zealand beat England at Twickenham. They could also take more bonus points in defeat to the Springboks than England manage against the All Blacks.

Ireland's July results included a bonus-point win over Australia and a defeat to the All Blacks at Eden Park with no bonus point. The Fiji game comes a week before the visit of world champions South Africa.

The inaugural tournament concludes at Allianz Stadium from November 27-29.