Ireland captain Johnny Sexton is set to start the team’s Six Nations opener against Scotland this weekend after recovering from a knee injury.
Fly-half Sexton has not played since hobbling off while playing for Leinster in a Champions Cup game against Northampton in early December, but last week the 34-year-old confirmed his recovery was “ahead of schedule” and that he hoped to be fit for Scotland’s visit to Dublin on Saturday.
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Sexton, who will link up with Conor Murray in the half-backs, will lead the team for the first time since being appointed as Ireland’s permanent captain, while former under-20s captain Caelan Doris will make his debut at No. 8. He will be joined in the backrow by CJ Stander and club teammate Josh van der Flier.
The experienced Cian Healy and Tadhg Furlong are named at prop with Rob Herring, earning his ninth Test cap, completing the front row at hooker.
Familiar faces, including Bundee Aki and Jacob Stockdale, will provide Ireland’s attacking threat from the backs.
Ireland team to face Scotland:
Jordan Larmour, Andrew Conway, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale, Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray; Cian Healy, Rob Herring, Tadhg Furlong, Iain Henderson, James Ryan, CJ Stander, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris
Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Dave Kilcoyne. Andrew Porter, Devin Toner, Peter O’Mahony, John Cooney, Ross Byrne, Robbie Henshaw