Ireland have been forced to rest prop Reggie Corrigan for the Pool A match against Namibia at Aussie Stadium in Sydney tonight.
The Irish have made six changes, including Corrigan, to the team which beat Romania 45-17 in front of a capacity crowd at Central Coast Stadium in Gosford on 11 October.
Form guide
The Irish are ranked fourth on the official IRB world rankings after Australia moved ahead of them with a 24-8 win over Argentina in the first game of RWC 2003.
Namibia lost their first match 67-14 to Argentina and are ranked 25th in the world. Ireland goes in to the match strong favourites on the strength of 16 wins from their past 18 Test matches.
Previous meetings
Ireland and Namibia have never met in a Rugby World Cup game, but surprisingly Namibia hold a 2-0 advantage in the head to head count.
Namibia upset the Irish 26-15 and 15-6 in Windhoek back in 1991, a year after the Namibian Rugby Union was founded, in the only two games played between the two nations.
In and out
Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan has chosen a new look back row with Simon Easterby, Alan Quinlan and Eric Miller given an opportunity.
Tight head prop John Hayes has been selected for his first start since playing England in March. He returned to international rugby from the bench against Romania.
Included in the new look line up is Ronan O'Gara, who replaces David Humphreys at fly half. O'Gara’s performance is likely to decide who will wear the number 10 jersey in the crucial Pool A matches against Argentina and Australia.
Denis Hickie will become the most capped wing for Ireland with 42 internationals, surpassing Keith Crossan.
Corrigan is unexpectedly out, resting a shoulder badly bruised at training earlier in the week. The 32 year old prop was expected to recover in time to play, but should line up against Argentina in Adelaide on 26 October.
Marcus Horan comes in for Corrigan, joining Hayes and Keith Wood in the front row. Newcomer Simon Best comes onto the replacements' bench.
Namibia have made three changes to the team beaten by Argentina, flanker Wolfie Duvenhage, wing Vincent Dreyer and full back Ronaldo Pedro coming in with Herman Lintvelt, Melrick Africa and Morne Schreuder moving to the bench.
Namibian fly half Rudi van Vuuren remains on the injured list with a calf strain, his bid to become the first man to play in both a Cricket and Rugby World Cup in the same year on hold for another game.
Key Players
Inspirational skipper Wood led the way in Ireland’s opening match, marshalling his forward pack and scoring a try in a physical encounter with the Romanians. Expect the same in this match.
Bustling centre Brian O’Driscoll looks to be in sharp form. O'Gara will be the focal point of the attack at fly half, while Humphreys will offer his accurate kicking from the bench.
Namibia will be looking to their tight five to provide better support for blindside flanker Schalk van der Merwe, one of the best in a beaten side against Argentina.
The attacking options of scrum half Hakkies Husselman and Du Preez Grobler could also trouble the Irish defence.
What it means
Ireland are aiming for a vital bonus point to remain in contention for top spot in Pool A with Australia and Argentina.
It is too much to expect Namibia to repeat its 1991 heroics but they will be looking to be competitive in the set pieces and agressive in defence.
What they said
Irish coach Eddie O’Sullivan on what his team want from the match against Namibia:
"Our job is to get five points from this game, and get onto Adelaide."
Namibia coach Dave Waterston on how he thinks Ireland will approach the game:
"Ireland play a more expansive game. You've got guys like O'Driscoll and other multi talented guys out there.
“Ireland would be fools to play a tight game against Namibia when they have all this talent outside.”
Match details
Ireland v Namibia 20:00
Aussie Stadium, Sydney
Referee: Andrew Cole (Australia)
Touch Judges: Stuart Dickinson (Australia), Joel Dume (France)
TV Match Official: Kelvin Deaker (New Zealand)