ANDY'S NOT HOLDING BLACK

Farrell plays a strong hand for Ireland's mouthwatering Chicago New Zealand reunion

- By DEREK FOLEY

ANDY Farrell has clearly decided to go as hard and as strong as he can and look to beat the All Blacks in Chicago.

The boss has named the best Ireland XV available to him and it’s one which pays little attention to provincial niceties.

Leinster's Jamie Osborne, will fill in for first-choice Leinster fullback Hugo Keenan and the back-row reshuffle in the absence of Leinster's Caelan Doris sees Leinster's Ryan Baird taken in at no6.

The absence of Connacht's Mack Hansen has put Leinster’s Tommy O'Brien into the front-line - although the dropping of the westerners’ Bundee Aki sees an Ulster gain as Stuart McCloskey makes his third start in a row.

Munster got the better of the Jack Crowley-Sam Predergast call but don't bet against the latter starting against Japan, Australia and South Africa as the coach looks to shape the no10 position into the one he wants for RWC 2027.

Thus seven Leinster forwards, a halfback and four three-quarters will contest the Soldier Field kickoff against the All Blacks alongside two Munster and one Ulster players.

Leinster, despite their slow start to this season, are the dominant Irish club.