Sexton returns to captain Ireland in World Cup opener

Jonny Sexton returns to the Ireland starting team as Ireland open their World Cup campaign against Romania on Saturday.

Hugo Keenan, Keith Earls and James Lowe are named in the back three, with Garry Ringrose and Bundee Aki paired in the Ireland midfield. Sexton captains the team as he resumes his half-back pairing with scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park.

In the pack, Andrew Porter, Rob Herring and Tadhg Furlong start in the front row. Whereas, Joe McCarthy is one of six players in the starting XV set for their Rugby World Cup debuts. McCarthy partners James Ryan in the second row.

Tadhg Beirne is named at blindside flanker, with Peter O'Mahony at openside and Caelan Doris at number eight.

Farrell has strong options among his bench with Rob Herring, Jeremy Loughman and Tom O'Toole the front row reinforcements. Iain Henderson and Josh van der Flier covering the second and back row respectively, and Conor Murray, Jack Crowley and Robbie Henshaw providing the backline replacements.

Ireland:

15. Hugo Keenan
16. Keith Earls
17. Garry Ringrose
18. Bundee Aki
19. James Lowe
20. Jonathan Sexton (C)
21. Jamison Gibson-Park

1. Andrew Porter
2. Rob Herring
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Joe McCarthy
5. James Ryan
6. Tadhg Beirne
7. Peter O'Mahony
8. Caelan Doris

Replacements:

16. Ronan Kelleher
17. Jeremy Loughman
18. Tom O'Toole
19. Iain Henderson
20. Josh van der Flier
21. Conor Murray
22. Jack Crowley
23. Robbie Henshaw

Ireland v Romania

Stade de Bordeaux

Saturday, Kick-off: 2.30pm/3.30pm