Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has named his starting XV for Saturday’s opening Autumn Nations Series clash with Japan at the Aviva Stadium (KO 1pm).
Andrew Conway and James Lowe get the nod on the wings while Leinster hooker Rónan Kelleher has held off stiff competition to start at number two.
36-year-old Johnny Sexton will captain the side from fly-half on the occasion of his 100th cap.
Hugo Keenan is the final member of the back three with Lowe and Conway either side of the full-back.
Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose are Farrell’s preferred pair in midfield while Leinster duo Sexton and Jamison Gibson-Park are the chosen halfbacks.
There is an all-Leinster front row as Tadhg Furlong and Andrew Porter join their provincial compatriot Kelleher.
Tadhg Beirne and James Ryan start at second row with Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan completing the team in the back row.
Ireland team to face Japan (Saturday, 1pm, Aviva Stadium):
- 15. Hugo Keenan
- 14. Andrew Conway
- 13. Garry Ringrose
- 12. Bundee Aki
- 11. James Lowe
- 10. Johnny Sexton (captain)
- 9. Jamison Gibson-Park
- 1. Andrew Porter
- 2. Rónan Kelleher
- 3. Tadhg Furlong
- 4. Tadhg Beirne
- 5. James Ryan
- 6. Caelan Doris
- 7. Josh van der Flier
- 8. Jack Conan
Replacements:
- 16. Dan Sheehan
- 17. Cian Healy
- 18. Finlay Bealham
- 19. Iain Henderson
- 20. Peter O’Mahony
- 21. Conor Murray
- 22. Joey Carbery
- 23. Keith Earls
