Rónan Kelleher set to start World Cup crunch against South Africa as Andy Farrell weighs up back-row options

Although Farrell is understood to have considered going with a back-row of Tadhg Beirne, Peter O’Mahony and Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier is likely to get the nod.

The Ireland head coach is expected to resist the temptation to go with a 6/2 split on the bench to combat the Springbok’s seven forwards and one back, as he sticks with the conventional 5/3 approach.

Indo World Cup Daily: Watch – What team will Andy Farrell name today to face Springboks?

Johnny Sexton will captain the side from out-half, most likely alongside Jamison Gibson-Park, who is expected to come back into the team after sitting out last weekend’s win over Tonga.

Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose are set to renew their centre partnership, with Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen and James Lowe continuing in the back-three.

Kelleher may start in a front-row with Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong, as Beirne is likely to partner James Ryan in the second-row. O’Mahony, Van der Flier and Doris would make up a familiar back-row.

Farrell will weigh up whether or not to include Dan Sheehan, but it appears as though the hooker may make his return on the bench along with Dave Kilcoyne, Finlay Bealham, Iain Henderson and Ryan Baird, as Conor Murray, Jack Crowley and Robbie Henshaw are set to offer back-line cover.

Farrell will officially name his team at approximately 2pm today.

POSSIBLE IRELAND TEAM TO PLAY SOUTH AFRICA: H Keenan; M Hansen, G Ringrose, B Aki, J Lowe; J Sexton (capt), J Gibson-Park; A Porter, R Kelleher, T Furlong; J McCarthy, J Ryan; T Beirne, P O’Mahony, C Doris. Reps: D Sheehan/R Herring, D Kilcoyne, F Bealham, I Henderson, J van der Flier, C Murray, J Crowley, R Henshaw.