Henshaw in starting XV for opening New Zealand test

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Robbie Henshaw has been named at centre for Ireland's first test against New Zealand on Saturday.

Ireland Head Coach Andy Farrell today announced the Ireland side that will take to the field at Eden Park in Auckland in the first Test of the three Test Series against New Zealand.

Jonathan Sexton will captain the side and is partnered at half-back by Jamison Gibson Park. Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose line out in the centre.

Keith Earls will win his 97th cap as he is named in the back three alongside James Lowe on the wing and Hugo Keenan at fullback.

Up front, Andrew Porter returns to the side having missed the final two games of this year’s Six Nations through injury.  He will pack down alongside Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong. Tadhg Beirne and James Ryan will partner in the 2nd Row.

Peter O’Mahony will fill the blindside flanker berth with Josh van der Flier at openside and Caelan Doris at No.8.

The replacements are Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Cian Healy, Kieran Treadwell, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Joey Carbery and Bundee Aki.

The match will be broadcast on Sky Sports and RTE Radio and you can follow all the action on our live blog and social channels.

Ireland Team & Replacements (v New Zealand, Eden Park, Auckland, Saturday,, KO: 8.05am

15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 20 caps

14. Keith Earls (Munster/Young Munster) 96 caps

13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD) 42 caps

12. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster/Buccaneers) 57 caps

11. James Lowe (Leinster) 12 caps

10. Johnny Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 105 caps CAPTAIN

9. Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster) 17 caps

1. Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD) 43 caps

2. Dan Sheehan (Leinster/Lansdowne) 7 caps

3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf) 57 caps

4. Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne) 30 caps

5. James Ryan (Leinster/UCD) 43 caps

6. Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution) 84 caps

7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD) 40 caps

8. Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 17 caps

Replacements

16. Dave Heffernan (Connacht/Buccaneers) 6 caps

17. Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers) 23 caps

18. Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf) 116 caps

19. Kieran Treadwell (Ulster/Ballymena) 5 caps

20. Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere) 27 caps

21. Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen) 96 caps

22. Joey Carbery (Munster/Clontarf) 32 caps

23. Bundee Aki (Connacht/Galwegians) 37 caps

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