Ireland interim head coach Paul O'Connell says Jack Crowley has the opportunity to "follow up" on Sam Prendergast's "excellent" performance in the win over Georgia in tonight's test against Portugal.

With Crowley having started Ireland's final Six Nations game, Prendergast shone on his return to the line-up in Tbilisi, converting all six of his kicks off the tee in a 34-5 Irish win in tough conditions.

The 22-year-old, who also had what would have been his first international try ruled out, is not included in the matchday squad for the contest at Estadio Nacional do Jamor in Lisbon.

"It's a very important position, out-half, I think more and more important in the game than it's ever been," said O'Connell.

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Versatile back Jimmy O'Brien says he is keen to make the most of his chance with Ireland while the bulk of the squad are on British and Irish Lions duty.

O'Brien made his Test debut against South Africa in 2022, but has been in and out of the squad since, with injuries playing their part.

The 28-year-old, who can operate at full-back, centre and on either wing, has been retained for tonight's game, having played 80 minutes of last weekend's 34-5 win over Georgia in the 15 jersey.

"It's about taking the opportunity," said O'Brien, who was a key part of Leinster's 2024-25 United Rugby Championship win.

"Obviously some of the lads are away with Lions and there's a lot of lads, myself included, who have been waiting for an opportunity to play over the last couple of years.

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Ireland interim head coach Paul O'Connell has included three new caps in a team showing six changes for from last week's win in Tbilisi.

Connacht wing Shayne Bolton and Munster back row Kendellen were originally named in O'Connell's line-up, while Connacht centre Hugh Gavin was promoted to the starting team after Jamie Osborne's call-up to the British and Irish Lions squad.

Munster wing Calvin Nash takes Gavin's place on the Ireland bench.

Bolton replaces Ulster wing Jacob Stockdale, who injured his shoulder in the 34-5 win over Georgia in Tbilisi last week, while Kendellen comes in at open-side flanker for Nick Timoney, who drops out of the squad.

Connacht's Cian Prendergast, who was forced to withdraw from last week's game because of illness, starts at number eight.

"I have been really pleased with the attitude of the players over the last number of weeks," said O'Connell.

"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."

Portugal Head Coach Simon Mannix names his first test team since a 21-7 defeat to Romania in the Rugby Europe Championship in March. The former All Black was Rob Penney's assistant at Munster from 2012-2014.

Ireland: J O'Brien; T O'Brien, H Gavin, S McCloskey, S Bolton; J Crowley, C Casey (capt); J Boyle, G McCarthy, T Clarkson; T Ahern, D Murray; R Baird, A Kendellen, C Prendergast.

Replacements: T Stewart, M Milne, T O'Toole, C Izuchukwu, M Deegan, B Murphy, C Frawley, C Nash.

Portugal: Guedes, Bento, V. Pinto, Appleton, M. Pinto, Aubry, Camacho, D. Costa, Begic, D. Ferreira, de Andrade, P. Ferreira, de Carvalho, Martins, Ruiz

Replacements: da Cunha, Lopes. Souto, G. Costa, Almeida, Baptista, Campos, Avriagnet

Good evening and welcome to the Estadio Nacional do Jamor in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon.

Sporting CP defeated rivals Benfica 3-1 here in the Portuguese Cup final 48 days ago with Arsenal target Viktor Gyokeres scoring a goal.

But never mind the Gunners, it's Ireland's young guns who take on Portugal this evening in their second summer Test under interim head coach Paul O'Connell.

Can they build on last week's victory over Georgia in Tbilisi and give Andy Farrell some selection headaches when he returns from British and Irish Lions duty for the Autumn internationals?

Stick with us for all of the action. Glad you could join us this evening.

Image source, ©INPHO/Ben Brady