Four Connacht players named to Ireland matchday squad

Four Connacht players have been named to the Irish squad facing off against England this weekend, with Cian Prendergast making his international start.

Head Coach Andy Farrell has named the Ireland Match Day Squad for Saturday’s Bank of Ireland Nations Series clash against England at Aviva Stadium, which kick’s off at 5:30pm.

James Ryan will captain Ireland in the final home match before the Rugby World Cup, while Keith Earls is in line to win his 100th Test cap in green should he feature off the replacements bench.

Earls, who made his Ireland debut against Canada in November 2008, is set to become the ninth Ireland player to reach this landmark stage in his career.

He follows in the footsteps of Brian O’Driscoll (133), Ronan O’Gara (128), Cian Healy (124), Rory Best (124), Johnny Sexton (113), Paul O’Connell (108), John Hayes (105) and Conor Murray (105).

Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen and James Lowe make up the Ireland starting back three, with Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose also set for their first appearances of the Bank of Ireland Nations Series in midfield. Leinster pair Ross Byrne and Jamison Gibson-Park start in the half-backs.

Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong start in the front row, with Tadhg Beirne joining Ryan in the second row.

Peter O’Mahony starts at blindside flanker, with Josh van der Flier at openside and Cian Prendergast set for his first Ireland start at number eight.