Ireland Name Team For Rugby World Cup Opener
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Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has named his team for the Pool A match against Scotland at International Stadium Yokohama on Sunday, 22 September.
Four players in the matchday 23 featured in the quarterfinal loss to Argentina in England four years ago (Iain Henderson, Conor Murray, Cian Healy, Rory Best).
Meanwhile, the likes of Rob Kearney and Keith Earls have not recovered in time to feature in the side with Jordan Larmour filling the #15 jersey and Andrew Conway slotting in on the right-wing.
Rory Best captains Ireland at hooker for the 35th time, only Brian O'Driscoll (83) and Keith Wood (36) have captained the team in more test matches.
Best packs down with Cian Healy and Tadhg Furlong in the most common starting front row of the 20 World cup participants since the beginning of 2017. On Sunday they start together for the 14th time.
James Ryan and Iain Henderson complete the front five with Peter O'Mahony, Josh van der Flier and CJ Stander starting in the back row.
Murray and Sexton start at 9 and 10. Stockdale, Conway and Larmour make up the back field with Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose starting in the midfield with Robbie Henshaw also missing the clash with an injury.
Ireland have named their team to face Scotland #IREvSCO
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) September 20, 2019
❌ Kearney & Earls
✅ Larmour & Conway#RWC2019 #ShoulderToShoulder #RWCYokohama pic.twitter.com/yssBgQlr5a
