Cian Healy starts on the bench despite being stretchered from the field against the Maori All Blacks with a leg injury; Jamison Gibson-Park will partner Johnny Sexton at half-back; watch all 14 summer tour fixtures exclusively live on Sky Sports
Friday 1 July 2022 09:45, UK
Ireland have named their side to take on the All Blacks in Saturday's opening Test against New Zealand, live on Sky Sports.
Captain Johnny Sexton will be partnered at half-back by Jamison Gibson-Park, while Andrew Porter makes his return up front after missing the final two games of the Six Nations through injury.
Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose will line out in the centre, accompanied by James Lowe and Keith Earls on the wings with Hugo Keenan at fullback.
Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong will pack down alongside Porter, while Tadhg Beirne and James Ryan were named at lock.
Peter O'Mahony will fill the blindside flanker role with Josh van der Flier at openside and Caelan Doris at No 8.
Cian Healy was named on the bench, despite suffering what appeared to be a serious leg injury in Ireland's 32-17 defeat against the Maori All Blacks on Wednesday.
The 116-cap loosehead was carried off the pitch by a motorised stretcher in Hamilton but will back up Porter from the bench at the weekend.
He will be joined by Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Kieran Treadwell, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Joey Carbery and Bundee Aki.
A COVID-hit All Blacks team have also announced their squad for the clash, as Beauden Barrett will start at fly-half in place of Richie Mo'unga and his brother Scott at blindside flanker in the first of three July Tests against Ireland at Eden Park on Saturday.
Wing Leicester Fainga'anuku has been handed a Test debut in a depleted backline, while Fiji-born loose forward Pita Gus Sowakula could win his first cap off the bench at the age of 27.
Mou'nga, who was named on the bench, missed training this week through illness and so twice World Player of the Year Beauden Barrett gets his chance to stake his claim on the number 10 shirt.
Scott Barrett, who normally play at lock, will start at flanker and a third Barrett brother, Jordie, will start at full-back.
New Zealand: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Leicester Faingaanuku, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith; 1 George Bower, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Ofa Tuungafasi, 4 Brodie Retallick, 5 Sam Whitelock, 6 Scott Barrett, 7 Sam Cane (c), 8 Ardie Savea.
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukeiaho, 17 Karl Tuinukuafe, 18 Angus Taavao, 19 Pita Gus Sowakula, 20 Dalton Papalii, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Richie Mounga, 23 Braydon Ennor.
Ireland: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Keith Earls, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 James Lowe, 10 Johnny Sexton (c),9 Jamison Gibson Park; 1 Andrew Porter, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Tadhg Beirne, 5 James Ryan, 6 Peter O'Mahony, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Caelan Doris.
Replacements: 16 Dave Heffernan, 17 Finlay Bealham, 18 Cian Healy, 19 Kieran Treadwell, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Joey Carbery, 23 Bundee Aki.
As well as showing Ireland in New Zealand this summer, Sky Sports will show England's three-Test tour of Australia, Wales' three-Test tour of South Africa and Scotland's three-Test tour of Argentina.
Saturday, July 2
New Zealand vs Ireland - live on Sky Sports Action from 7:30am (kick-off at 8:05am)
Australia vs England - live on Sky Sports Action from 10:15am (kick-off at 10:55am)
South Africa vs Wales - live on Sky Sports Action from 3:30pm (kick-off at 4:05pm)
Argentina vs Scotland - live on Sky Sports Action from 7:30pm (kick-off at 8:10pm)
Saturday, July 9
New Zealand vs Ireland - live on Sky Sports Action from 7:30am (kick-off at 8:05am)
Australia vs England - live on Sky Sports Action from 10:15am (kick-off at 10:55am)
South Africa vs Wales - live on Sky Sports Action from 3:30pm (kick-off at 4:05pm)
Argentina vs Scotland - live on Sky Sports Action from 7:30pm (kick-off at 8:10pm)
Tuesday, July 12
Maori All Blacks vs Ireland - live on Sky Sports Action from 8am (kick off is at 8.05am)
Saturday, July 16
New Zealand vs Ireland - live on Sky Sports Action from 7:30am (kick-off at 8:05am)
Australia vs England - live on Sky Sports Action from 10:15am (kick-off at 10:55am)
South Africa vs Wales - live on Sky Sports Action from 3:30pm (kick-off at 4:05pm)
Argentina vs Scotland - live on Sky Sports Action from 7:30pm (kick-off at 8:10pm)
