Paul O'Connell is Ireland's interim head coach while Andy Farrell is leading the British and Irish Lions Interim head coach Paul O'Connell says his youthful Ireland team's performance in Georgia on Saturday "won't be perfect". O'Connellhas handed debuts to second row Darragh Murrayand wing Tommy O'Brien, while four more players could make first Ireland appearances off the bench. Ireland are without the 16 players who are in Australia with the British and Irish Lions, and captain Caelan Doris and Robbie Henshaw are missing through injury. Although former Ireland lock O'Connell says preparations have "been good", he says learning from mistakes will be part of the process in Tbilisi. "We're aware of that, even when we play with the most experienced internationals," O'Connell said. "Trying to make the players aware of that as well is really important and we just have to crack on." Jacob Stockdale is the most-capped player with 39 caps, while Stuart McCloskey is the only player over the age of 30. Eleven of the starting 15 have fewer than 10 caps, something that also applies to all but one of the replacements, and O'Connell says there will likely be some nerves in his players. "That's part of it, you almost have to experience that to learn how to figure it out," he said. "That's why we wanted them in that two-week prep window as that's what international rugby is all about. "They experience how to come in and learn quickly and how to get aligned quickly. "Ultimately, until you are in the middle of it and you make a mistake, it's only by getting on the field and experiencing it that you really learn." O'Connell added that facing Georgia, who defeated Japan and Tonga last year and narrowly lost to Italy, will be a "real challenge" for his players. "It's not a Test match of small significance, it's a match where they have to perform," he said. "They are going to learn a lot. We are going to learn a lot."
Ireland performance in Georgia 'won't be perfect' - O'Connell
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"Paul O'Connell Prepares Young Ireland Team for Challenge Against Georgia"
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Paul O'Connell, serving as Ireland's interim head coach, has acknowledged that the performance of his youthful team in their upcoming match against Georgia will not be flawless. With the absence of 16 players currently participating with the British and Irish Lions, O'Connell has introduced new talent into the squad, including debutants Darragh Murray and Tommy O'Brien. The team also faces challenges due to injuries to key players like captain Caelan Doris and Robbie Henshaw. Despite these setbacks, O'Connell has noted that the preparations have been satisfactory, emphasizing the importance of learning from mistakes during the match in Tbilisi. He indicated that even experienced players can struggle, highlighting the necessity for his young squad to understand this dynamic as they step onto the international stage for the first time.
O'Connell pointed out that Jacob Stockdale is the most experienced player on the field with only 39 caps, and the majority of the starting lineup consists of players with minimal international experience, which could contribute to nerves during the match. He believes that experiencing these emotions is crucial for the players' development. He also mentioned that the preparation period allowed them to acclimate to the demands of international rugby. Facing a competitive team like Georgia, who has shown their capabilities by defeating teams such as Japan and Tonga, will provide a significant challenge for Ireland. O'Connell stressed that this match is not merely a minor fixture but an opportunity for substantial learning and growth for his young players, which he views as essential for their future in rugby.
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