Sexton returns to lead Ireland against Scotland

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland Captain Johnny Sexton returns to the side to face Scotland this Sunday in Edinburgh in Round four of the 2023 Six Nations Championship.

Sexton missed the Round three fixture in Rome against Italy having picked up a knock against France in the previous round. Sexton is currently seven points behind the all-time leading Six Nations points scorer, fellow Irishman Ronan O’Gara (557 Six Nations points).

Conor Murray is also restored to the starting line up having impressed off the bench against Italy. In the midfield, Bundee Aki shifts to inside centre with Garry Ringrose returning to the starting line-up.

The back three that has started every game of this Championship campaign lines out again with Hugo Keenan at fullback and Mack Hansen and James Lowe on the wings.

Up front, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong are introduced to the front row to join Andrew Porter.

James Ryan and Iain Henderson lock down at second row with Peter O’Mahony starting at blindside flanker, Caelan Doris shifting to number eight and Josh van der Flier lining out at openside.

Cian Healy, Jamison Gibson-Park and Robbie Henshaw are included among the replacements alongside Ronan Kelleher, Tom O’Toole, Ryan Baird, Jack Conan and Ross Byrne.

Ireland: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 James Lowe, 10 Johnny Sexton (captain), 9 Conor Murray, 8 Caelan Doris, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Peter O'Mahony, 5 James Ryan, 4 Iain Henderson, 3 Tadge Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter

Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Tom O’Toole, 19 Ryan Baird, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Jamison Gibson park, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Robbie Henshaw

Date: Sunday, March 12

Venue: BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh

Kick-off: 15.00 (15.00 GMT)

Referee: Luke Pearce (England)

Assistant Referees: Wayne Barnes (England) & Christophe Ridley (England)

TMO: Stuart Terheege (England)