# McNabney set for debut as Irish make seven changes

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/mcnabney-set-for-debut-as-irish-make-seven-changes/
- Published: 2026-11-12T14:22:06+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-12T15:40:18+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC Sport (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cqx2xg22w0k7o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: Sport

## Key points

- McNabney could make his Ireland debut off the bench.
- Timoney is set for his first Test start at number eight.
- Ireland have made seven changes to face Fiji.

## Summary

Ireland have made seven changes for Saturday’s Nations Championship match against Fiji, with Ulster’s James McNabney in line for a possible Test debut from the bench. The selection reflects injuries across the squad and gives Nick Timoney his first Test start at number eight, while Mack Hansen returns at full-back.

McNabney, 23, has started only once for Ulster this season after missing the entire 2025-26 campaign with an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Ireland also bring in Jamie Osborne, Bundee Aki, Tommy O’Brien, Jamison Gibson-Park, Ronan Kelleher and James Ryan; Josh van der Flier is recalled, while Dan Sheehan is unavailable with concussion. Ireland have won three of four matches and sit third in the northern hemisphere standings; Fiji are bottom of their table, without a point, and have never beaten Ireland.

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