Rory Best will captain Ireland in their opening Rugby World Cup 2019 game against Scotland. Appearing at his fourth World Cup, the Ireland hooker will win his 121st cap, his 12th at the global rugby tournament, while eight of the starting XV will be making their first appearance in the competition. Best is joined in the front row by Cian Healy, playing in his third Rugby World Cup, and Tadhg Furlong, featuring at his second tournament. James Ryan will make his Rugby World Cup debut alongside Iain Henderson who won four caps at England 2015. There are two tournament debutants in the back row with Josh van der Flier at 7 and CJ Stander at number 8. Peter O’Mahony, winning his 60th cap, played in New Zeland 2011 and England 2015. Only two of the back-line have played at the Rugby World Cup before, scrumhalf Conor Murray and outhalf Jonathan Sexton featured at the 2011 and 2015 tournaments. Garry Ringrose and Bundee Aki in the centre make their RWC 2019 debut with Jordan Larmour, Andrew Conway and Jacob Stockdale also making their tournament bow. The eight players named in the replacements are all featuring at their first Rugby World Cup. Niall Scannell, David Kilcoyne and Andrew Porter cover the front row with Tadhg Beirne and Jack Conan the other forward subs. Luke McGrath, Jack Carty and Chris Farrell are the replacement backs. Ireland team and replacements to play Scotland, Rugby World Cup 2019, Pool A, Yokohama Stadium, Sunday 22nd September, 08:45 Irish time): 15. Jordan Larmour (St. Mary’s College / Leinster) 16 caps* 14. Andrew Conway (Garryowen / Munster) 15 caps* 13. Garry Ringrose (UCD / Leinster) 24 caps* 12. Bundee Aki (Galwegians / Connacht) 20 caps* 11. Jacob Stockdale (Lurgan / Ulster) 21 caps* 10. Jonathan Sexton (St. Marys College / Leinster) 84 caps 9. Conor Murray (Garryowen / Munster) 74 caps 1. Cian Healy (Clontarf / Leinster) 91 caps 2. Rory Best (Banbridge / Ulster) 120 caps CAPTAIN 3. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf / Leinster) 36 caps 4. Iain Henderson (Queen's University / Ulster) 48 caps 5. James Ryan (UCD / Leinster) 19 caps* 6. Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution / Munster) 59 caps 7. Josh van der Flier (UCD / Leinster) 19 caps* 8. CJ Stander (Shannon / Munster) 33 caps* Replacements: 16. Niall Scannell (Dolphin / Munster) 16 caps* 17. Dave Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians / Munster) 31 caps* 18. Andrew Porter (UCD / Leinster) 18 caps* 19. Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne / Munster) 8 caps* 20. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere / Leinster) 16 caps* 21. Luke McGrath (UCD / Leinster) 14 caps* 22. Jack Carty (Buccaneers / Connacht) 7 caps* 23. Chris Farrell (Young Munster / Munster) 7 caps* *Denotes Rugby World Cup debut

Ireland team named for first game of Rugby World Cup

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