Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray will become Ireland’s most capped half-back pairing of all time when they start together in the World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand.
The pair will start together for the 56th time in Tests, overtaking Peter Stringer and Ronan O’Gara as Ireland’s record holders.
Joe Schmidt has made three changes in all from the team that beat Samoa in the final pool match, with Rob Kearney returning at full-back, while Peter O’Mahony moves back into the starting line-up in the back row.
The final change sees Garry Ringrose come in to replace Bundee Aki, with Robbie Henshaw switching to inside centre as a result.
Kearney had missed the game against Samoa with a minor knock, while O’Mahony came off the bench in that success.
As for Murray and Sexton, they will be charged with implementing Schmidt’s game plan, with Murray relishing the chance to start alongside his half-back partner once more.
He said: “I love playing beside him. He is such a leader. He understands what we are trying to do really well and gets it across to everyone.”
Ireland team to face New Zealand
15. Rob Kearney (Leinster) 14. Keith Earls (Munster) 13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster) 12. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster) 11. Jacob Stockdale (Ulster) 10. Johnny Sexton (Leinster) 9. Conor Murray (Munster)
1. Cian Healy (Leinster) 2. Rory Best (capt) (Ulster) 3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster) 4. Iain Henderson (Ulster) 5. James Ryan (Leinster) 6. Peter O’Mahony (Munster) 7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster) 8. CJ Stander (Munster)
Replacements
16. Niall Scannell (Munster) 17. Dave Kilcoyne (Munster) 18. Andrew Porter (Leinster) 19. Tadhg Beirne (Munster) 20. Rhys Ruddock (Leinster) 21. Luke McGrath (Leinster) 22. Joey Carbery (Munster) 23. Jordan Larmour (Leinster)
