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06 Nov 2025
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06 Nov 2025
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Tom Farrell, son of a Mayo mother will make his debut for Ireland on Saturday.
THERE is delight in Mayo sporting circles this afternoon after the announcement of the Irish rugby team to face Japan set off proud celebrations across the county. Not only is Lacken's Caelan Doris back in the starting team and leading the team as captain, the naming of another player is the topic of joyous conversation in West-Mayo.
Andy Farrell made eight changes from the side beaten by New Zealand last weekend in Chicago and the selection of Munster's Tom Farrell in the centre has been greeted with great delight by his large extended family in Mayo.
Tom's mother, Ann Collins, is from Islandeady where many of the sports-mad clan still reside and there will be a large contingent making the trip to the Aviva on Saturday for the big game which kicks off at 12.40pm.
Farrell who plays for Munster after a seven-year stint with Connacht has now been rewarded for his exceptional form with a Test debut.
It marks an incredible turnaround in the career of the 32-year-old, who will be the oldest man to make his Irish debut since Nathan White did so in 2015, a couple of weeks shy of his 34th birthday.
The Dublin native had previously earned an Ireland call-up in 2019, only to be ruled out due to injury, and his career appeared to be at a crossroads just under two years ago when he was released by Connacht, only for Munster to swoop in and offer him a contract.
Farrell was voted the province's player of the year in his first season at Munster, and has played a starring role in their unbeaten start to the new season, leading to his first international cap.
"Tom becomes our latest debutant and his is a real Roy of the Rovers story when you look at his journey in the game to this point," head coach Andy Farrell said.
"Tom has worked really hard to earn the right to represent his country and I know how proud he is to be involved this weekend after knocking on the selection door for the last few seasons.
"In congratulating him on his selection, I would like to wish Tom the best of luck."
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