Andy Farrell has reinstated captain Johnny Sexton to both the starting line-up and to Ireland’s preferred half-back pairing with Conor Murray. Elsewhere, Robbie Henshaw returns at inside centre which means Bundee Aki will continue his recent exploits in the 13 channel. It’s a lot of bash in that midfield, make no mistake.
In the forwards, Rob Herring is back to start at hooker while Ulster prop Eric O’Sullivan will make his debut off the bench at some point.
Gregor Townsend has wasted no time in promoting recently residency qualified Edinburgh outside half, Jaco van de Walt, into the starting XV at the expense of Duncan Weir who drops out of the squad completely. Huw Jones and Sean Maitland the non-scrum half back on the bench, which means that Stuart Hogg will cover the ten shirt if required. Duncan Taylor makes a welcome return to the centres after a horrible period of injuries and livewire D’Arcy Graham is back on the wing.
The pack has a shuffle about as Sutherland and Zander Fagerson return at prop and Hamish Watson is rested in the back row.
Ireland: Jacob Stockdale; Hugo Keenan, Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw, Keith Earls; Jonathan Sexton (capt), Conor Murray; Cian Healy, Rob Herring, Andrew Porter; Iain Henderson, James Ryan; CJ Stander, Peter O’Mahony, Caelan Doris.
Replacements: Ronán Kelleher, Eric O’Sullivan, John Ryan, Quinn Roux, Josh van der Flier, Jamison Gibson-Park, Ross Byrne, Chris Farrell.
Scotland: Stuart Hogg (captain); Darcy Graham, Chris Harris, Duncan Taylor, Duhan van der Merwe; Jaco van der Walt, Ali Price; Rory Sutherland, Fraser Brown, Zander Fagerson, Scott Cummings, Jonny Gray, Blade Thomson, Jamie Ritchie, Matt Fagerson.
Replacements: Stuart McInally, Oli Kebble, WP Nel, Sam Skinner, Blair Cowan, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Huw Jones, Sean Maitland.
