Ireland name exciting team to face the All Blacks

The four changes we predicted have come to pass.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has named a strong starting XV for Saturday's Guinness Series encounter with the world champion All Blacks. There are four changes from the side that beat Argentina 28-17 last weekend, with Rob Kearney, Dan Leavy, Garry Ringrose and Devin Toner all coming in. The front row is unchanged from the trio that started against Argentina, with Cian Healy, Rory Best and Tadhg Furlong all packing down. Toner joins Leinster teammate James Ryan in the second row while Dan Leavy is in the back row with Peter O'Mahony and CJ Stander. The backs begin with Kieran Marmion and Johnny Sexton at 9 and 10, with Ringrose coming in at outside centre to partner Bundee Aki. Kearney takes up the fullback role with Keoth Earls and Jacob Stockdale on the wings. Jordan Larmour, Joey Carbery and Luke McGrath are the back reserves on a decenmt-looking Ireland bench.

IRELAND XV

Cian Healy Rory Best Tadhg Furlong Devin Toner James Ryan Peter O'Mahony Dan Leavy CJ Stander Kieran Marmion Johnny Sexton Jacob Stockdale Bundee Aki Garry Ringrose Keith Earls Rob Kearney Replacements: Sean Cronin, Jack McGrath, Andrew Porter, Iain Henderson, Josh van der Flier, Luke McGrath, Joey Carbery, Jordan Larmour.

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen, earlier, named his matchday squad for the Guinness Series encounter. Hansen has brought in Ryan Crorry for the injured Sonny Bill Williams in the only changed to the starting XV that helped beat England 16-15. The side contains a host of familiar faces, from Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock in the second row to Aaron Smith and Beauden Barrett as the half-back pairing.