IRB Rugby World Cup
Paul O'Connell to skipper Ireland in Rugby World Cup send-off
PA Sport
August 27, 2015
© Michael Steele/Getty Images

Paul O'Connell will return to captain his country in his last international on home soil when Ireland continue their World Cup preparations against Wales at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

O'Connell will be partnered in the second row by Iain Henderson while Connacht tight-head prop Nathan White will make his first start after coming off the bench to make his debut in the 28-22 win over Scotland a fortnight ago.

Coach Joe Schmidt reverts to his first-choice half-back pairing of Conor Murray and Jonathan Sexton pair while Robbie Henshaw partners Luke Fitzgerald in midfield and winger Dave Kearney will make his first appearance since the 2014 Six Nations title-clinching win over France.

Keith Earls, a recent tryscorer against Wales in Cardiff, switches to the wing to enable Fitzgerald to make his first start at centre since November 2008.

Flanker Peter O'Mahony and Murray also make their first international appearances of the season.

Schmidt will name his 31-strong World Cup squad on Monday, ahead of the opening Pool D match against Canada in Cardiff on Saturday, September 19.

Ireland team to face Wales

R. Kearney; D. Kearney, L. Fitzgerald, R. Henshaw, K. Earls; J. Sexton, C. Murray; J. Heaslip, J. Murphy, P. O'Mahony, P. O'Connell (c), I. Henderson, N. White, R. Strauss, J. McGrath

Replacements: S. Cronin, D. Kilcoyne, T. Furlong, D. Ryan, S. O'Brien, E. Reddan, P. Jackson, F. Jones

© PA Sport

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