Andy Farrell has reinstated captain Johnny Sexton to each the beginning line-up and to Eire’s most popular half-back pairing with Conor Murray. Elsewhere, Robbie Henshaw returns at inside centre which suggests Bundee Aki will proceed his latest exploits within the 13 channel. It’s a variety of bash in that midfield, make no mistake.
Within the forwards, Rob Herring is again to begin at hooker whereas Ulster prop Eric O’Sullivan will make his debut off the bench sooner or later.
Gregor Townsend has wasted no time in selling lately residency certified Edinburgh outdoors half, Jaco van de Walt, into the beginning XV on the expense of Duncan Weir who drops out of the squad fully. Huw Jones and Sean Maitland the non-scrum half again on the bench, which implies that Stuart Hogg will cowl the ten shirt if required. Duncan Taylor makes a welcome return to the centres after a horrible interval of accidents and livewire D’Arcy Graham is again on the wing.
The pack has a shuffle about as Sutherland and Zander Fagerson return at prop and Hamish Watson is rested within the again row.
Eire: Jacob Stockdale; Hugo Keenan, Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw, Keith Earls; Jonathan Sexton (capt), Conor Murray; Cian Healy, Rob Herring, Andrew Porter; Iain Henderson, James Ryan; CJ Stander, Peter O’Mahony, Caelan Doris.
Replacements: Ronán Kelleher, Eric O’Sullivan, John Ryan, Quinn Roux, Josh van der Flier, Jamison Gibson-Park, Ross Byrne, Chris Farrell.
Scotland: Stuart Hogg (captain); Darcy Graham, Chris Harris, Duncan Taylor, Duhan van der Merwe; Jaco van der Walt, Ali Worth; Rory Sutherland, Fraser Brown, Zander Fagerson, Scott Cummings, Jonny Grey, Blade Thomson, Jamie Ritchie, Matt Fagerson.
Replacements: Stuart McInally, Oli Kebble, WP Nel, Sam Skinner, Blair Cowan, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Huw Jones, Sean Maitland.
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