The big surprise here is the omission of Andrew Conway.
The Ireland team to face Japan in the second game of their 2019 World Cup campaign has been named.
Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has made five changes from the XV that started the World Cup with a thumping win over Scotland. Jack Carty starts ahead of Johnny Sexton for Saturday’s clash with Japan but there are a couple of senior stars returning.
Schmidt has opted to go without Bundee Aki, who both failed Head Injury Assessments during that 27-3 victory over the Scots. Chris Farrell takes Aki’s place while Peter O’Mahony, who also failed a HIA last Sunday, has been given the all clear and starts.
Elsewhere, the back three that went so well against Scotland is rejigged to accommodate the returning Keith Earls and Rob Kearney. Out go Jordan Larmour and Conway, who fails to make the matchday 23 despite his excellent showing in the first game.
Joey Carbery is named on a strong Ireland bench, as is Rhys Ruddock. Carbery has not played since the first World Cup warm-up game, against Italy, back in early August.
Ireland team to face Japan
1. Cian Healy (Leinster)
2. Rory Best (Ulster)
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster)4. Iain Henderson (Ulster)
5. James Ryan (Leinster)6. Peter O’Mahony (Munster)
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster)
8. CJ Stander (Munster)9. Conor Murray (Munster)
10. Jack Carty (Connacht)11. Jacob Stockdale (Ulster)
12. Chris Farrell (Munster)
13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster)
14. Keith Earls (Munster)15. Rob Kearney (Leinster)
Replacements: Sean Cronin, Dave Kilcoyne, Andrew Porter, Tadhg Beirne, Rhys Ruddock, Luke McGrath, Joey Carbery, Jordan Larmour.
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