Aki starts for Ireland


Ireland have named their squad that will take on South Africa in Dublin on Saturday, with Bundee Aki in the starting line-up at centre.

Aki is the one uncapped player in the starting XV while Sean O’Brien is set to win his 50th cap for Ireland.

Ireland hooker Rory Best returns to captain the side having missed the Summer Tour as a member of the British & Irish Lions squad. Best is joined in the front row by Cian Healy and Tadhg Furlong.

Iain Henderson and Devin Toner pack down in the second row. Peter O’Mahony and O’Brien are on the flanks with CJ Stander at number eight.

Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton fill the half-back slots while Bundee Aki will win his first cap for Ireland alongside his former provinical colleague Robbie Henshaw.

Jacob Stockdale and Andrew Conway are named on the wings with Rob Kearney at fullback.

The uncapped Darren Sweetnam is named in the replacements, while James Ryan, who his first cap on the Summer Tour is also included.

Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Andrew Conway, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 8 CJ Stander, 7 Sean O’Brien, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 5 Devin Toner, 4 Iain Henderson, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Rory Best (c), 1 Cian Healy
Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 John Ryan, 19 James Ryan, 20 Rhys Ruddock, 21 Kieran Marmion, 22 Joey Carbery, 23 Darren Sweetnam

Date: Saturday, November 11
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off: 17:30 GMT
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Ian Davies (Wales)
TMO: David Grashoff (England)

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