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Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has named his team that will face South Africa in their opening Autumn Nations Series clash on Saturday.

Conor Murray is preferred to Jamison Gibson-Park at scrum-half and will celebrate the start on the day he wins his 100th cap at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Murray is one of just five players in the starting XV that featured from the off in the last game between the two sides in 2017. Tadhg Furlong, Robbie Henshaw, Peter O’Mahony and Johnny Sexton were the other players to start against the Springboks five years ago, a game the Irish managed to come out on top.

Cian Healy, named on the bench this Saturday, also started the 2017 game while Rob Herring, James Ryan and Joey Carbery were riding the pine that day.

Milestone for Johnny Sexton

Ireland captain Sexton will make his 109th appearance this weekend, becoming the country’s fifth most capped player of all time ahead of Paul O’Connell.

Elsewhere in the backline, there are starts at centre for Henshaw and Garry Ringrose. Mack Hansen, Robert Baloucoune and Hugo Keenan are the back three.

Baloucoune missed the mid-year tour of New Zealand through injury but started against both the Griquas and the Cheetahs for Emerging Ireland in October.

Leinster prop duo Andrew Porter and Furlong pack down alongside Dan Sheehan in the front-row while Tadhg Beirne and Ryan start as the locks this week.

The back-row is equally impressive as O’Mahony joins Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris as starters, with Jack Conan acting as their back up on the bench.

Trio join extended squad

In other news from the Ireland camp, it has been announced that Nathan Doak, Tom Stewart and Stewart Moore have now joined Farrell’s extended squad.

Ireland: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Robert Baloucoune, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Mack Hansen, 10 Johnny Sexton (c), 9 Conor Murray, 8 Caelan Doris, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 5 James Ryan, 4 Tadhg Beirne, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter
Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Kieran Treadwell, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Jamison Gibson-Park, 22 Joey Carbery, 23 Stuart McCloskey

Date: Saturday, November 5
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off: 17:30 GMT
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant Referees: Mathieu Raynal (France), Andrea Piardi (Italy)
TMO: Stuart Terheege (England)

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Moussa Sissako has signed his first professional contract with Paris Saint-Germain, the club officially confirmed on their social media platforms this weekend.

The highly-rated youngster had been linked with Brighton and Hove Albion amongst many other top European clubs, but PSG’s recent tactic of keeping it’s youth talent has meant the defender stays in the French capital until 2021.

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PSG’s habit of letting talented youth slip through their fingers with players like Kingsley Coman leaving the club for next to nothing to play successful careers, but it looks as though the French champions have finally figured out how to build for the future, with 17-year-old Sissako looking to be the next leader in the PSG backline.

T.S.

La Dépêche du Midi report today that Toulouse have begun the search for a replacement for Issa Diop, who joined West Ham in a record €25m deal.

Preliminary targets identified by TFC include: Modou Diagne of Nancy, who is available for around €1.5m, as well as experienced, versatile defender Kévin Théophile-Catherine (St Étienne) and ESTAC Troyes’ Charles Traoré.

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Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber admits their narrow 30-26 loss in a chaotic game was tough to take given the impressive efforts of his side.

The Marseille Test had everything with red cards for both teams, and the Springboks finished the game with 13 men after Deon Fourie’s yellow card.

Chaotic Test

The Springboks played well, considering Pieter-Steph du Toit was given his marching orders after 12 minutes for a dangerous cleanout, keeping themselves in the game before France skipper Antoine Dupont was sent off for taking Cheslin Kolbe out in the air.

The game truly had it all, and the Springboks showed impressive character and fight, but in the end, the vociferous Marseille crowd dragged the French side over the line in what was a Test match for the ages.

Nienaber credited his players for their efforts, including their goal-kickers, who had improved performance off the kicking tee.

“It hurts a lot because the players showed a lot of attitude and put in a great effort and we certainly can’t fault that,” said Nienaber.

“The effort the players delivered was extraordinary, and the in the end goal kicks proved to be difference on the scoreboard.

“The reality is that we lost by four points against the second-ranked team in the world at home and by three points against the top ranked team. We are facing Ireland in the pool stages of the World Cup and we could face France or New Zealand in the quarter-final, so we have to keep working hard as a team.”

Springboks skipper Siya Kolisi praised his team’s character and commitment whilst also giving France credit for their performance on the night.

“We kept on working for one another after the red card and we are proud of that It’s horrible to lose and especially like that. The guys played well and they kept on fighting, but France played a little better,” Kolisi said.

“They are a great side and they showed it by being unbeaten in 12 games. They have a strong pack and backs that can take the opportunities, and they had a great atmosphere behind them in the match.”

France favourites for World Cup

Nienaber sees France as one of the favourites for next year’s World Cup, particularly given their 12-match win streak.

“They (France) are certainly close to one of the favourites,” said Nienaber.

“The last game they lost was against Australia in 2021 and they have won 12 on the trot now. I don’t think there is any other team that has come close to that streak recently.

“That said, one could see by Italy’s win (against Australia earlier on Saturday) that there is a lot of competition in world rugby at the moment.”

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Ligue 1 side Rennes have retaken the lead in the race to sign Sunderland attacker Wahbi Khazri, according to L’Équipe.

After discussions with St Étienne boss Jean-Louis Gasset, it was believed that the Tunisian national team captain would sign for Les Verts, despite a season-long loan spell with SRFC.

However, Rennes have made a counter offer worth around €200k a month gross, which has completely spun the situation.

Rennes now lead, with Khazri set to make a final decision imminently.

All Blacks legend Dan Carter is expecting a top clash between England and New Zealand at Twickenham this weekend.

Carter believes his compatriots will be fuelled by their painful 19-7 loss to England in the 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final – the last time these two teams met.

There are several survivors from that game, including Aaron Smith, skipper Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick, who will become the All Blacks’ latest Test centurion on Saturday.

All set to be a blockbuster Test

Carter admits the length of time since the semi-final clash adds to this weekend’s match, and he feels the All Blacks will have “an extra edge” for the Test.

“It’s been too long between games and that’s why I think this game is going to be an absolute cracker. That scarcity brings extra excitement,” Carter told the PA news agency.

“There’s also the extra excitement after what happened in 2019 when England completely outplayed the All Blacks. That hurt and will have hurt a lot of the players who are involved that day.

“When you have a defeat like that, the one thing you want to do is play against that opposition again, but we haven’t been able to do that for so long.

“Knowing some of the players who were involved in that game, there will be some some personal motivation going on there.

“There are players who have been a part of successful World Cups for New Zealand in 2011 and 2015, so being part of a losing World Cup team really does hurt. They will have have an extra edge for this game.”

Eyeing a strong finish

Despite a poor start to the 2022 Test season that included a series loss to Ireland before a comprehensive beating by the Springboks, the All Blacks have shown tremendous resilience and find themselves on a six-game win streak.

Carter admits a victory against England at Twickenham will be the ideal way for New Zealand to finish off their season.

“New Zealand are building. It’s obvious that they’re not happy with their performances throughout the year, but they’ve had some fantastic games and shown what they’re capable of,” Carter said.

“But every time you put on that All Black jersey the expectation is that you win every single game and more often than not, they do.

“So for them to have the win rate that they have this year is disappointing and they will be more disappointed than anyone.

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“For them to to beat England at Twickenham in their last Test match of the year… it’s a huge game for them.

“After this they will have a couple of months off so they need to win because there’s nothing worse than having a few rocks underneath your beach towel throughout the summer, especially leading into World Cup year.

“They will have targeted England in this autumn series and they will have been building towards it as if it were a World Cup final.”

Serie A side Inter Milan have sounded out French international attacker Dimitri Payet’s representatives about a possible move, according to France Football.

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Marseille are expected to rebuff the approach for the 31-year-old, who narrowly missed out on the France squad after suffering a series of hamstring problems.

England back-row Jack Willis has signed a contract with Top 14 giants Toulouse until the end of the season, the club has announced.

Willis, 25, has been without a club since Wasps were suspended and relegated from the Premiership after being forced into administration last month.

Since then there were rumours of Toulouse being interested in the impressive flank and they have now confirmed the deal for the England back-row.

Willis made his Test bow in 2020 against Georgia, scoring a try in that game, but injuries have hampered a rugby career that still has great promise.

He’s sure to relish playing in such a star-studded Toulouse side as they look to challenge on both the Top 14 and Champions Cup fronts this season.

Pumas hooker joins London Irish

Elsewhere, London Irish have confirmed the signing of Argentina international hooker Ignacio Ruiz.

The 21-year-old joins up with the Exiles with immediate effect, adding to Irish’s already plentiful contingent of Argentine talent.

Ruiz has played a part in Argentina’s recent strong form, coming off the bench in wins over Scotland in July as well as aiding in Los Pumas’ first win over England in 13 years in the Autumn Nations Series.

“I’d like to welcome Ignacio to the club. Myself and the coaching team believe he will be a great fit here as an Exile and will be made to feel welcome by his fellow countrymen and new teammates alike,” said London Irish director of rugby Declan Kidney.

“His capabilities have been trusted on the international stage recently, his impressive showings at such a young age have made him a great prospect so we are delighted to have him here with us.”

Last season, Ruiz spent his time between Jaguares XV in the Super Liga Americana and Regatas Bella Vista in Argentina’s URBA Top 13 domestic league competition.

His fourth and most recent Argentina appearance came against Gregor Townsend’s side in November, and the front-row forward can’t wait to get started in Premiership rugby.

“I’m really looking forward to joining Declan and the team in London, it is a big opportunity for me to join a club like London Irish,” Ruiz said.

“I have enjoyed playing Test rugby recently with my country, and I feel playing with London Irish will be another big step in the right direction for my career.”

France move for George Merrick

In other transfer news, second-row George Merrick has left Newcastle Falcons to join a French club with immediate effect.

The 30-year-old has made 13 appearances since joining from Worcester Warriors in the summer of 2021, and leaves with the thanks and best wishes of the club.

Newcastle Falcons head coach Dave Walder said: “George has been offered an exciting playing opportunity over in France and we wish him all the best for his move.

“He has been a positive presence around our squad during his time here, and on behalf of the entire coaching team I’d like to thank him for his contribution.”

Merrick said: “I’ve loved my time in Newcastle with a great bunch of boys, and I’m looking forward now to this new challenge.”

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France Football report this evening that a source has told them that an eventual move for Mario Balotelli to Marseille is “more likely not to happen”.

“At the moment, there is more of a chance that the transfer does not happen, than the opposite. The aside, everything can unblock very quickly with this transfer.”

Mario Balotelli wants to make the move to Marseille, according to the outlet.

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Ronan O’Gara has addressed the rumours linking him to England, with under-pressure head coach Eddie Jones set to vacate the position at the end of the Rugby World Cup.

La Rochelle head coach O’Gara insists that he is ‘extremely happy’ to remain at the French club after he ruled himself out of contention to become the next England boss.

The World Rugby Hall of Famer has been linked with the head coach role after the Rugby World Cup and even before then, with pressure mounting on Jones after a poor Autumn Nations Series campaign.

Contact with the RFU

In his column for the Irish Examiner, the former Ireland and Munster legend confirmed that he had contact with the Rugby Football Union (RFU) but that no formal offer had been made.

“I had contact from the RFU. It’s England. If you get offered a gig like that – and I wasn’t, to be accurate – then you have to give it due consideration until such time as someone else gets the job or you officially eliminate yourself from the race. That was done in a very amicable conversation this week; ‘I’m not sure if I am making your job easier or harder, but… etc etc’.

“No hard feelings, we may meet again.” O’Gara wrote.

O’Gara’s credentials

After a successful playing career, O’Gara started coaching at Racing 92 as the club’s defence coach.

The former Munster fly-half was then courted by the Crusaders and joined Scott Robertson’s coaching staff.

He added two Super Rugby titles to his trophy cabinet with the New Zealand outfit.

A return to France followed as he joined La Rochelle as their new head coach role under director of rugby Jono Gibbes ahead of the 2019/20 season.

He then replaced Gibbes as the director of rugby ahead of the 2021/22 season and led the side to their first major silverware, defeating Leinster 24-21 in the 2021/22 Champions Cup Final.

Alternative candidates

The RFU initially expressed the desire to replace Jones after the World Cup with an English coach.

However, they have recently changed their tune with several top coaches on the market after the showpiece in France.

Robertson is the man on everyone’s lips at the moment, and after he revealed his ambition to win the Rugby World Cup with two nations, he should be on the shortlist.

Warren Gatland’s success with Wales and the British and Irish Lions over the past decade means he will undoubtedly be in the discussion.

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Steve Borthwick’s success with Leicester Tigers and previously with England also make him a standout candidate, and if the RFU do want an Englishman at the helm, he is arguably the front-runner.