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Ireland vs Canada: What time does it start and where can I watch it?

A look ahead to the Pool D fixture at the Millennium Stadium

Jack de Menezes

Friday 18 September 2015 16:07 BST

Sean O'Brien will be crucial to Ireland's chances (Getty Images)

It's a big game for…

Luke Fitzgerald: The talk of Ireland's side heading into the tournament centred around the up and coming centre Robbie Henshaw, but injury means the Connacht man will miss the opener against Canada.

One a permanent fixture on the wing, Fitzgerald now gets his chance in the centre where it could be argued that Ireland may struggle without the physicality of Henshaw.

If Fitzgerald performs against Canada – and possibly Romania a week on Sunday – who’s to say that he won’t force his way in somewhere along the back line.

10 emerging players to watch at the Rugby World Cup

Show all 10

1/1010 emerging players to watch at the Rugby World Cup

10 emerging players to watch at the Rugby World Cup

1. Jonny May, England

May came and went from the international stage as fast as he finishes tries, but a strong end to the season with Gloucester set him up to star in England’s World Cup training camp and beat Chris Ashton and Marland Yarde to selection. His double against Ireland in the final warm-up match marks him out as England’s go-to finisher.

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10 emerging players to watch at the Rugby World Cup

2. Robbie Henshaw, Ireland

Henshaw announced his arrival on the international stage with the match-winning try over England in this year’s Six Nations, and the Ulster centre is a key reason why the Irish haven’t felt the loss of Gordon D’Arcy and Brian O’Driscoll. Henshaw is a powerful runner who is also blessed with lovely passing ability and can unlock an opposing defence.

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10 emerging players to watch at the Rugby World Cup

3. Finn Russell, Scotland

The Scottish fly-half position remains one of uncertainty but, in Russell, Vern Cotter has a No 10 that has the attacking awareness to get Scotland among the tries. After their reliance on the points machine that was Chris Paterson, Russell could be the man to show they still play running rugby north of the border.

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10 emerging players to watch at the Rugby World Cup

4. Liam Williams, Wales

Leigh Halfpenny’s absence could, somehow, be a blessing in disguise if Williams makes the full-back berth his own. The 24-year-old Scarlets flyer found himself on the wing in the Six Nations, but now back in his favoured position and with a desire to run from just about anywhere, Williams could be one of the success stories of the autumn.

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10 emerging players to watch at the Rugby World Cup

5. Nehe Milner-Skudder, New Zealand

Many on these shores will not know who the Hurricanes wing is, but his rise from Super Rugby to the All Blacks superstar has been rapid. Equally adept at playing at full-back, Milner-Skudder has been tipped to take the tournament’s top scorer crown, and his two tries against Australia on debut suggest he’ll certainly be in the mix.

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10 emerging players to watch at the Rugby World Cup

6. Scott Sio, Australia

A dominant Australian loose-head prop? Never! That would have been the answer until this year’s Rugby Championship, when Sio not only strengthened the Wallabies pack but took the fight to the New Zealand eight and then some.

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10 emerging players to watch at the Rugby World Cup

7. Damian de Allende, South Africa

De Allende looks set to feature alongside captain Jean de Villiers in the Springbok centre, and he might just be one of those that lights up the World Cup. His lack of experience is countered by his ability to break the line and, with pace enough for a wing, just watch him go when he breaks free.

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10 emerging players to watch at the Rugby World Cup

8. Pablo Matera, Argentina

If Argentina harbour any hopes of beating New Zealand to top spot in Pool C, they’re going to need to stand firm and concede as few tries as possible. In Matera, they hold a tackling machine who can chop down most of those in his way.

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10 emerging players to watch at the Rugby World Cup

9. Ben Volavola, Fiji

The Fijian fly-half caught the eye of New Zealand heavyweights Crusaders in the Super 15, leading to a move to the Land of the Long White Cloud that has put him in good stead to start for Fiji at Twickenham tomorrow. Keep an eye out for him trying to prove a point to his former coach at the Waratahs, Michael Cheika, when Fiji meet Australia.

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10 emerging players to watch at the Rugby World Cup

10. Gael Fickou, France

The young France centre will be a memorable name for English fans following his match-winning try in their 2014 Six Nations match. Despite making his mark that day, the 21-year-old Toulouse back is yet to tie down a regular place in Les Bleus’ starting XV, but why not choose England 2015 to help France go one better than 2011’s final defeat?

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Teams…

Ireland: R Kearney; D Kearney, Payne, Fitzgerald, Earls; Sexton, Murray; McGrath, Best, Ross; Henderson, O’Connell; O’Mahony, O’Brien, Heaslip.

Replacements: Cronin, Healy, White, Ryan, Henry, Reddan, Madigan, Zebo.

Canada: Evans; Hassler, Hearn, Blevins, Van der Merwe; Hirayama, McRorie; Buydens, Barkwill, Wooldridge; Beukeboom, Cudmore; Gilmour, Moonlight, Carpenter.

Replacements: Piffero, Sears-Duru, Tiedemann, Sinclair, Thorpe, Mack, Underwood, Trainor.

Best stat…

Six: Ireland have not lost to Canada in all six of their meetings since their first meeting back in 1987. However, they did come close to defeat in 2000, when a brave Canadian side pushed the Irish all the way to a 27-27 draw in Markham.

Player to watch…

Sean O’Brien: At his best the man is unstoppable, and with him and No 8 Jamie Heaslip the Irish back-row certainly comes with a fair amount of oomph. At 28, O’Brien cannot be sure of playing in another World Cup and given this one is the closest he will get to a home tournament (given 2019 will be hosted by Japan) he will want to deliver to the best of his abilities. If Canada allow him to rumble over the gainline repeatedly, the Irish will be in store for an easy day at the office.

Past three meetings…

Canada 14 (Ardron) Ireland 40 (Trimble, McFadden 3, Cave, O’Donnell,) International Test, June 2013.

Canada 6 Ireland 25 (Vancouver), International Test, May 2009.

Ireland 55 (Earls, Kearney 2, Heaslip, Bowe 2, Wallace, Quinlan) Canada 0, International Test, November 2008.

Form guide…

Ireland: WWWLL

Canada: WWWLW

Vital information…

Kick-off: 2.30pm, Saturday 19 September.

TV: Live on ITV, highlights on ITV4.

To coincide with the Rugby World Cup, The Independent has launched a new app! Live scores, team line-ups, in-game stats and breaking news will ensure you keep on top of the tournament. Use the links below to download the free app...

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http://bit.ly/androidrwc2015

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