The inclusion of South African hooker Rob Herring is one of six changes to Ireland’s starting lineup for Saturday’s opening Test against the Wallabies in Brisbane.
Several injury concerns have forced coach Joe Schmidt to revamp his starting lineup from the one that last played against England in the Six Nations on 17 March.
Up front, Herring will win his fourth Test cap at hooker in the absence of regular captain Rory Best. Lock Peter O’Mahony will take over the captaincy for this match.
Props Jack McGrath and John Ryan will start, with Cian Healy and Tadhg Furlong moving to the bench. The only other change in the pack sees Jordi Murphy return in the loose trio ahead of Dan Leavy.
In the most notable change in the back division, Joey Carbery has been named at flyhalf with Johnny Sexton dropping to the bench. Robbie Henshaw has recovered from injury to regain the No 13 jersey.
Quinn Roux has been recalled to the squad and will provide lock cover off the bench.
Ireland – 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Keith Earls, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Joey Carbery, 9 Conor Murray, 8 CJ Stander, 7 Jordi Murphy, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 5 Iain Henderson, 4 James Ryan, 3 John Ryan, 2 Rob Herring, 1 Jack McGrath.
Subs: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Quinn Roux, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Kieran Marmion, 22 Johnny Sexton 23 Jordan Larmour.
Photo: Matt Browne/Sportsfile
