Johnny Sexton returns to Ireland’s starting XV in one of eight changes for the second Test against the Wallabies in Melbourne on Saturday.
Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has decided to shake the team up significantly after their 18-9 loss in the first Test.
Sexton, who was on the bench for that game, rotates with flyhalf Joey Carbery while Sexton’s Leinster teammate Garry Ringrose comes in at outside centre for Bundee Aki, who is left out of the match 23 entirely.
In the final change to the backline, Andrew Conway comes in on the right wing for Jacob Stockdale.
There is a new front row in Cian Healy, Niall Scannell and Tadhg Furlong, while Leinster lock Devin Toner is back to partner James Ryan in the second row.
Dan Leavy has been named at openside flanker ahead of Jordi Murphy and joins captain Peter O’Mahoney and No 8 CJ Stander in the back row.
Ireland – 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Andrew Conway, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 8 CJ Stander, 7 Dan Leavy, 6 Peter O’Mahony (c), 5 James Ryan, 4 Devin Toner, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Niall Scannell, 1 Cian Healy.
Subs: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Andrew Porter, 19 Tadhg Beirne, 20 Jordi Murphy, 21 John Cooney, 22 Joey Carbery, 23 Jordan Larmour.
Photo: Brendan Moran/Getty Images
