Andy Farrell has named a strong-squad for Saturday's World Cup opener with Romania.
will make his first competitive appearance in almost six months after being selected to start Saturday’s clash.
Fly-half Sexton missed his country’s three warm-up matches through suspension, having not played since injuring a groin as Ireland clinched the Six Nations Grand Slam against England on March 18. The 38-year-old, who will retire after the tournament, will partner Leinster team-mate Jamison Gibson-Park on his long-awaited comeback in Bordeaux.
Ulster’s Rob Herring will start at hooker to fill the void left by Dan Sheehan’s foot injury, with Ronan Kelleher, who sat out last month’s wins over Italy, England and Samoa amid a hamstring issue, on the bench.33-man squad – will make only his second Test start, alongside vice-captain James Ryan. Wing Mack Hansen and world player of the year Josh van der Flier are notable absentees from the matchday squad, with Keith Earls selected on the right wing, Peter O’Mahony at openside flanker and Tadhg Beirne at blindside.
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