Lenihan: Ross Byrne needs to grasp chance against Tonga

Out-half Ross Byrne will need to impress if introduced off the bench against Tonga (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player) as the battle to be Johnny Sexton's number 2 heats up.

Head coach Andy Farrell has opted for a formidable starting team for their second match in Pool B, with just four changes from the side that dismantled Romania last time out.

Captain Sexton is among that quartet as the Leinster man returns to full match sharpness, with his player of the match display in Bordeaux all the more impressive given it was his first competitive outing since March.

Injuries aside, the 38-year-old looks set to start all the pool games, so attention turns to who gets the nod in the match-day 23 with challenges against South Africa and Scotland looming.

Byrne should get his first taste of World Cup action in Nantes after being named among the replacements, while Jack Crowley did his own chances no harm against Romania.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1’s Morning Ireland, Donal Lenihan said the contest between Byrne and Crowley is an intriguing one.

"I think Jack Crowley has grown into that role (Sexton’s back-up) over the last 12 months," he said.

"I thought he was very good again when he came on against Romania last week, but Ross Byrne is very comfortable playing in the backline given the vast majority come from Leinster. He will get his opportunity off the bench.

"Sexton got 65 minutes last week. I think if he got 50 this week, and Ireland are in a good position, I’d imagine you’d see a change there.

"If you want to win a World Cup, you have got to have competition for every place. Ross Byrne has to grasp his chance tomorrow if he wants to be part of the match-day 23 from next week on with South Africa and Scotland to follow, and hopefully the