McNabney set for debut as Irish make seven changes

Ulster's James McNabney is poised to make his Ireland debut off the bench as head coach Andy Farrell makes seven changes for Saturday's Nations Championship match against Fiji.

In addition to a raft of personnel changes, Farrell has made two key positional switches with Nick Timoney and Mack Hansen moving to number eight and full-back.

Timoney's switch comes amid an injury crisis at number with Caelan Doris, Jack Conan and Sean Jansen all ruled out through injury, while Hansen replaces Hugo Keenan, who drops out of the squad after scoring a hat-trick of tries against the Pumas.

Jamie Osborne, Bundee Aki, Tommy O'Brien and Jamison Gibson-Park are also drafted into the backline, with Rob Baloucoune and Sam Prendergast retained.

In the pack, Ronan Kelleher starts at hooker with Dan Sheehan ruled out because of concussion, while James Ryan partners first-time captain Tadhg Beirne in the second row as Joe McCarthy drops out.

With Timoney switching to number eight, former World Rugby player of the year Josh van der Flier is recalled at open-side flanker.