Garry Ringrose will make his first senior start at inside centre to solve injury-hit Ireland’s midfield dilemma against Australia in The Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
The 21-year-old has not started a game at 12 since turning out for Leinster’s under-20s last season but acquitted himself admirably in the role off the bench against New Zealand last weekend.
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Robbie Henshaw’s absence through concussion and Johnny Sexton’s hamstring problem has forced Ireland into several midfield reshuffles to take on the Wallabies.
Paddy Jackson slots in at fly-half with Sexton sidelined, while Rob Kearney and CJ Stander have overcome concussion issues to start.
Ireland had drafted Ulster centre Stuart Olding into their squad in midweek while releasing midfielder Luke Marshall back to the Belfast province.
But Ireland boss Joe Schmidt has opted to give highly-rated Ringrose his head at inside centre, even though he has not even started a PRO12 match for Leinster in the role.
Ringrose coped well enough at 12 off the bench to replace the concussed Henshaw in Ireland’s 21-9 loss to the All Blacks in Dublin last weekend
Ireland lost their midfield attacking shape however, with Ringrose in unfamiliar territory at inside centre and Paddy Jackson also thrust into action prematurely after Sexton’s hamstring problem.
Keith Earls has stepped up to start on the wing, with Simon Zebo dropping to the bench after missing training in the early part of the week.
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Captain Rory Best will win his 100th Test cap, leading the Ireland side from hooker.
In the second row, Iain Henderson was preferred over Donnacha Ryan, who drops out of the matchday squad, due to freshness. Devin Toner packs down alongside Henderson.
“Donnacha Ryan has put in a huge shift,” Schmidt said at the team announcement. “He’s played in all three games so far.
“He was pretty fatigued after the most recent test.”
Ireland team: Rob Kearney, Andrew Trimble, Jared Payne, Garry Ringrose, Keith Earls, Paddy Jackson, Conor Murray; Jack McGrath, Rory Best, Tadhg Furlong, Iain Henderson, Devin Toner, Cj Stander, Sean O’Brien, Jamie Heaslip.
Replacements: Sean Cronin, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, Josh van der Flier, Kieran Marmion, Joey Carberry, Simon Zebo.
