GARRY RINGROSE WILL wear Ireland’s 12 shirt in Saturday’s final November Test against the Wallabies at the Aviva Stadium [KO 5.30pm, RTÉ 2].
Ringrose takes over from the injured Robbie Henshaw in Joe Schmidt’s team, having performed impressively off the bench against the All Blacks last weekend, while Paddy Jackson has been named at out-half in the absence of Johnny Sexton.
Keith Earls has been selected on the wing in place of Simon Zebo, with Iain Henderson coming into the second row as Donnacha Ryan drops out of the matchday squad completely.
CJ Stander and Rob Kearney have also been selected in Schmidt’s starting XV, having remained on track to complete their return-to-play protocols without any hiccups.
Schmidt has gone for an unchanged front row, with captain Rory Best set to win his 100th Ireland cap in between Jack McGrath and Tadhg Furlong.
Devin Toner and Henderson form the second row, while vice-captain Jamie Heaslip and openside Sean O’Brien join Stander in the starting second row.
Conor Murray will partner Jackson in the halfbacks, while Ringrose links up with Payne in the midfield. Andrew Trimble, Kearney and Earls form the back three.
On the bench, Schmidt has opted for Cian Healy, Sean Cronin and Finlay Bealham as his front row cover again, with Ultan Dillane edging out Ryan as the second row replacement. Josh van der Flier covers the back row.
Keiran Marmion is also included in the matchday squad, while Joey Carbery will look to win his third cap off the bench. Zebo covers the back three.
Ireland:
15. Rob Kearney
14. Andrew Trimble
13. Jared Payne
12. Garry Ringrose
11. Keith Earls
10. Paddy Jackson
9. Conor Murray
1. Jack McGrath
2. Rory Best (captain)
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Iain Henderson
5. Devin Toner
6. CJ Stander
7. Sean O’Brien
8. Jamie Heaslip
Replacements:
16. Sean Cronin
17. Cian Healy
18. Finlay Bealham
19. Ultan Dillane
20. Josh van der Flier
21. Kieran Marmion
22. Joey Carbery
23. Simon Zebo
Referee: Jérôme Garcès [FFR].
