Joe Schmidt has opted for experience ahead of this weekend's clash with New Zealand as the Ireland head coach recalls a trio of British & Irish Lions for the game in Chicago.

Joe Schmidt has opted for experience ahead of this weekend’s clash with New Zealand as the Ireland head coach recalls a trio of British & Irish Lions for the game in Chicago.

Rob Kearney, who was part of the 2009 and 2013 Tours, comes in at full-back at Soldier Field on Saturday having missed the summer Tests with South Africa due to injury.

Click here to buy your brand new Lions jersey from the Official Store

Another two members of the British & Irish Lions squad from three years ago, Simon Zebo and Johnny Sexton, were also absent for the 2-1 series defeat this summer but return on the wing and at fly-half respectively.

Kearney’s reintroduction sees Jared Payne move back to centre as he rekindles his partnership with Robbie Henshaw, while another Lion, Conor Murray, looks to pull the strings against the reigning world champions from scrum-half, with two-time tourist Jamie Heaslip once again at No.8.

Prop Tadhg Furlong will make his second international start, as Schmidt opts for Donnacha Ryan to partner Devin Toner in the second row, ahead of Ultan Dillane.

The head coach has gone with the tried and trusted against New Zealand and decided against starting Leinster’s talented youngsters Garry Ringrose and Joey Carbery, but both are in line to make their international debuts from the bench.