Rugby World Cup 2019: Ireland bring in Kearney, O’Mahony and Ringrose for All Blacks clash

Rob Kearney, Peter O’Mahony and Garry Ringrose have all been brought into the Ireland team to face New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals.

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has made three changes from the side that defeated Samoa 47-5, with Jordan Larmour, Tadhg Beirne and Bundee Aki all dropping out.

Larmour scored a try and impressed against Samoa but the more experienced Kearney has got the nod at full-back and will win his 95th cap in Tokyo.

Ringrose returns to partner Robbie Henshaw at centre after Aki’s tournament was ended by a three-game ban handed down for his dismissal against Samoa.

Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray will surpass Ronan O’Gara and Peter Stringer as Ireland’s most capped half-back pairing when they appear together for a 56th time at international level.

O’Mahony comes back in at flanker as Ireland attempt to hand New Zealand their first World Cup defeat since a quarter-final loss to France 12 years ago.

Ireland have won two of their past three meetings with the All Blacks, including their most recent encounter in Dublin 11 months ago.

#RWC2019

Here’s the Ireland team to play New Zealand in the quarter final on Saturday.

COME ON IRELAND!#TeamOfUs #NZLvIRE #ShoulderToShoulder pic.twitter.com/62lBLdqQQP

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) October 17, 2019

Ireland: Rob Kearney; Keith Earls, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Jacob Stockdale, Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray; Cian Healy, Rory Best, Tadhg Furlong; Iain Henderson, James Ryan, Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier, CJ Stander.

Replacements: Niall Scannell, Dave Kilcoyne, Andrew Porter, Tadhg Beirne, Rhys Ruddock, Luke McGrath, Joey Carbery, Jordan Larmour

KEO.co.za News wire is powered by opta