Jonathan Sexton to skipper Ireland against Russia

Adam Kyriacou

Jonathan Sexton will become the 106th player to captain Ireland when he leads the team out at Kobe Misaki Stadium on Thursday to play Russia.

Sexton is partnered by provincial colleague Luke McGrath with Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose in the centres.

Rob Kearney, who passed his HIA protocols, is named to start at full-back with Andrew Conway and Keith Earls on the wings.

There is a new look to the front-row as David Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell and John Ryan all get their first full start at the Rugby World Cup. Jean Kleyn also makes his tournament bow alongside Tadhg Beirne in the second-row.

Jordi Murphy, called up as a replacement for the injured Jack Conan, is straight into the action at number eight with Rhys Ruddock at six and Peter O’Mahony at seven.

Sean Cronin, Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong provide the front-row cover on the bench with Iain Henderson and CJ Stander covering lock and back-row.

Conor Murray, Jack Carty and Jordan Larmour are the replacement backs.

Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Andrew Conway, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Jonathan Sexton (c), 9 Luke McGrath, 8 Jordi Murphy, 7 Peter O’Mahony, 6 Rhys Ruddock, 5 Jean Kleyn, 4 Tadhg Beirne, 3 John Ryan, 2 Niall Scannell, 1 Dave Kilcoyne
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Andrew Porter, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 CJ Stander, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Jack Carty, 23 Jordan Larmour

Date: Thursday, October 3
Venue: Kobe Misaki Stadium
Kick-off: 19:15 local (11:15 BST, 10:15 GMT)
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)
Assistant Referees: Mathieu Raynal (France), Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)

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Ireland