The Ireland team was announced earlier this morning with Gavin named in the replacements but the change means he now joins Shayne Bolton and Alex Kendellen as the other uncapped players in the starting XV.
Calvin Nash comes in to the replacements.
“I have been really pleased with the attitude of the players over the last number of weeks. The dedication and diligence of the squad in testing conditions over in Tbilisi demonstrated the players’ willingness to embrace challenges and hopefully that bodes well again this weekend.
This Saturday presents another opportunity to go out and try to play our game. Portugal are another impressive emerging side who look to play an exciting brand of rugby and we know that we’re in for another battle hopefully in front of another big crowd of travelling supporters. To our three new debutants – Shayne, Alex and Hugh – congratulations on their selection. The team will try to deliver a positive performance for them and their families.”
Saturday’s game in Lisbon will be Ireland’s 765th Men’s Test and it will be broadcast live on Virgin Media.
Ireland Team & Replacements
15: Jimmy O’Brien (Naas RFC/Leinster)(9)
14: Tommy O’Brien (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)(1)
13: Hugh Gavin (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)*
12: Stuart McCloskey (Bangor RFC/Ulster)(20)
11: Shayne Bolton (Connacht)*
10: Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution FC/Munster)(25)
9: Craig Casey (Shannon RFC/Munster)(captain)(19)
1: Jack Boyle (UCD RFC/Leinster)(3)
2: Gus McCarthy (UCD RFC/Leinster)(5)
3: Thomas Clarkson (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)(7)
4: Tom Ahern (Shannon RFC/Munster)(1)
5: Darragh Murray (Buccaneers RFC/Connacht)(1)
6: Ryan Baird (Dublin University FC/Leinster)(28)
7: Alex Kendellen (UCC RFC/Munster)*
8: Cian Prendergast (UCD RFC/Connacht)(4)
Replacements:
16: Tom Stewart (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)(3)
17: Michael Milne (UCD RFC/Munster)(1)
18: Tom O’Toole (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)(16)
19: Cormac Izuchukwu (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)(2)
20: Max Deegan (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)(3)
21: Ben Murphy (Clontarf FC/Connacht)(1)
22: Ciaran Frawley (UCD RFC/Leinster)(8)
23: Calvin Nash (Young Munster/Munster)(11)
*denotes uncapped
