Ireland captain Caelan Doris has been named in the starting XV for Saturday’s autumn international against Japan in Dublin.
The Leinster back-row forward returned from injury as a replacement during last week’s 26-13 loss to New Zealand but is deemed fit to start as head coach Andy Farrell rings the changes from their trip to Chicago.
Joining him in the back row are Ryan Baird at blindside flanker, with Ulster’s Nick Timoney at openside.
Tadhg Beirne, whose early red card following a bunker review against the All Blacks was subsequently rescinded, is back in the second row alongside James Ryan.
However, Ulster’s Stuart McCloskey, who picked up a groin injury in Ireland’s autumn opener, is not part of the matchday squad with Munster’s Tom Farrell selected to make his Test debut alongside Robbie Henshaw.
Jacob Stockdale will win his 40th cap as he returns on the wing for the first time since picking up a shoulder injury in the summer Test against Georgia.
Craig Casey gets the nod to partner Munster team-mate Jack Crowley at half-back, while Ronan Kelleher and Thomas Clarkson come into the front row alongside Andrew Porter who retains his place from the defeat by New Zealand.
Farrell has strong options on the bench with Gus McCarthy, Paddy McCarthy, Finlay Bealham, Cian Prendergast and Jack Conan the forward replacements, while Caolin Blade, Sam Prendergast and Jimmy O’Brien provide the backline reinforcements.
Ireland: J Osborne; T O’Brien, T Farrell , R Henshaw, J Stockdale; J Crowley, C Casey; A Porter, R Kelleher, T Clarkson; J Ryan, T Beirne; R Baird , N Timoney, C Doris (capt)
Replacements: G McCarthy, P McCarthy, F Bealham, C Prendergast, J Conan, C Blade, S Prendergast, J O’Brien.
