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Ireland include Sean O'Brien in team to face New Zealand in Dublin

Ireland's Sean O'Brien during the World Cup match at the Olympic Stadium, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday October 4, 2015. See PA sto
Image: Sean O'Brien is back in the Ireland starting line-up

Sean O'Brien will start at openside flanker for Ireland in Saturday's Test against New Zealand in Dublin.

The Leinster forward played the full 80 minutes in last weekend's 52-21 victory over Canada at the Aviva Stadium and he retains his place as Ireland bid to complete a famous double over the All Blacks.

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The 29-year-old has taken over from the injured Jordi Murphy in the only change from the starting XV at Soldier Field in Chicago where Joe Schmidt's side triumphed 40-29 to claim their first victory over New Zealand in 111 years and end their 18-match winning streak.

O'Brien suffered a severe hamstring injury against France during the Six Nations and the Canada game was his first international appearance since then as Schmidt held him back from the action in the United States on November 5, a decision he did not "fully agree" with.

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Josh van der Flier will cover back row from the bench, leaving no spot in the 23 for Munster flanker Peter O'Mahony, who is still on the comeback trail after knee ligament surgery and was unable to train fully on Monday.

The influential Conor Murray has overcome a hamstring niggle to start at scrum-half, while fit-again lock Iain Henderson takes a seat on the bench with Leinster's young centre Garry Ringrose also among the replacements.

Ireland's Iain Henderson during training
Image: Ireland's Iain Henderson during training

Schmidt confirmed lock Ultan Dillane missed out with a "sore knee" and Keith Earls with a "dead leg".

Also See:

Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Jared Payne, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Conor Murray; 1 Jack McGrath, 2 Rory Best (c), 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Donnacha Ryan, 5 Devin Toner, 6 CJ Stander, 7 Sean O'Brien, 8 Jamie Heaslip.

Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Josh van der Flier, 21 Kieran Marmion, 22 Paddy Jackson, 23 Garry Ringrose.

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