Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Nick Purewal

Ireland name team for England World Cup warm-up clash as Johnny Sexton misses out

Johnny Sexton has missed out on Ireland's World Cup warm-up clash with England at Twickenham on Saturday.

The British and Irish Lions fly-half sat out training at the start of the week in Ireland's warm-weather camp in Portugal.

The Leinster playmaker has been recovering from a thumb sprain but Ireland had hoped he would be ready to feature against England.

Ross Byrne will start at fly-half and has a big chance to state his case for World Cup selection, with Joey Carbery's ankle ligament problem threatening to rule him out of the tournament in Japan.

Ireland have rolled out most of their big guns to face England, with Rory Best back as captain in a potent pack including the first-choice back-row of Peter O'Mahony, Josh Van Der Flier and CJ Stander.

Jean Kleyn wins his second cap at lock, the South Africa-born Munster star handed another chance to prove his World Cup worth.

Ireland team to face England

R Kearney, J Larmour, G Ringrose (all Leinster), B Aki (Connacht), J Stockdale (Ulster), R Byrne (Leinster), C Murray (Munster), C Healy (Leinster), R Best (Ulster, capt), T Furlong (Leinster), I Henderson (Ulster), J Kleyn, P O'Mahony (both Munster), J Van Der Flier (Leinster), CJ Stander (Munster)

Replacements: S Cronin (Leinster), J McGrath (Ulster), A Porter, D Toner (both Leinster), T Beirne (Munster), L McGrath (Leinster), J Carty (Connacht), A Conway (Munster)

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.