Ireland have named a host of British & Irish Lions in their team to face England at Twickenham on Saturday.
Joe Schmidt has gone with a mixture of experienced heads and fresh blood for the World Cup warm-up clash, as Rory Best returns to captain Ireland.
Best revealed earlier this year that the World Cup in Japan will be his last adventure in professional rugby and this will mark his final appearance at Twickenham.
The two-tour veteran is flanked in the front row by Cian Healy and Tadhg Furlong in a pack that is bursting with British & Irish Lions experience.
Here’s the Ireland team to play England on Saturday in Twickenham.#ShoulderToShoulder #ENGvIRE pic.twitter.com/sZeLdIZpiV
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) August 22, 2019
Iain Henderson is another member of the 2017 party in Schmidt’s starting XV, with Peter O’Mahony and CJ Stander backing up behind.
With Johnny Sexton still absent, Ross Byrne will earn just his third international cap but will be accompanied in the half-backs by the returning Conor Murray – also a two-tour veteran – while Rob Kearney lines up at full-back.
On the bench, Jack McGrath could make an entrance as a replacement if called upon by Schmidt.
Ireland team to play England at Twickenham Stadium, Saturday August 24 – 3pm
- Rob Kearney (Leinster)
- Jordan Larmour (Leinster)
- Garry Ringrose (Leinster)
- Bundee Aki (Connacht)
- Jacob Stockdale (Ulster)
- Ross Byrne (Leinster)
- Conor Murray (Munster)
- Cian Healy (Leinster)
- Rory Best (Ulster)
- Tadhg Furlong (Leinster)
- Iain Henderson (Ulster)
- Jean Kleyn (Munster)
- Peter O’Mahony (Munster)
- Josh van der Flier (Leinster)
- CJ Stander (Munster)
REPLACEMENTS
- Sean Cronin (Leinster)
- Jack McGrath (Leinster)
- Andrew Porter (Leinster)
- Devin Toner (Leinster)
- Tadhg Beirne (Munster)
- Luke McGrath (Leinster)
- Jack Carty (Connacht)
- Andrew Conway (Munster)
