Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has named a strong starting lineup that includes Jonathan Sexton for their World Cup warm-up against Wales in Dublin.
Saturday’s final warm-up will mark both Schmidt and captain Rory Best’s last matches on Irish soil. Best will earn his 120th cap against Wales.
Schmidt has brought fit-again flyhalf Sexton, who has missed their warm-ups through injury, straight back into the starting lineup.
Sexton will form the halfback combination with regular partner Connor Murray, who sat out last weekend’s win over the same opponents in Cardiff.
Bundee Aki, the only backline player remaining in the starting lineup from that match, will be partnered in midfield by Robbie Henshaw. Rob Kearney forms the back three with wings Jordan Larmour and Keith Earls.
No 8 Jack Conan and lock James Ryan keep their places in the starting lineup. Conan stays at No 8 with CJ Stander coming back into the lineup at blindside flank, while Josh van der Flier is back at openside.
Jean Kleyn forms the second-row combination with Ryan. Tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong and loosehead Cian Healy flank Best in the front row.
Ireland – 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Jordan Larmour, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Connor Murray, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 CJ Stander, 5 Jean Kleyn, 4 James Ryan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Rory Best (c), 1 Cian Healy.
Subs: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Andrew Porter, 19 Ian Henderson, 20 Rhys Ruddock, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Jack Carty, 23 Garry Ringrose.
Photo: Getty Images
