strong Ireland side to face NZ

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Joe Schmidt has not taken any chances as he has named a formidable Ireland team to play New Zealand at Aviva Stadium.

Rob Kearney returns to the starting XV at fullback with Keith Earls and Jacob Stockdale named on the wings.

Garry Ringrose renews his partnership with Bundee Aki from the game against Italy in Chicago. Jonathan Sexton is partnered by Kieran Marmion.

Up front, captain Rory Best packs down with Cian Healy and Tadhg Furlong. Devin Toner starts in the second row with James Ryan.

Dan Leavy is named at openside with Peter O'Mahony on the opposite flank and CJ Stander at No.8.

The replacement forwards are Sean Cronin, Jack McGrath, Andrew Porter, Ian Henderson and Josh van der Flier. The replacement backs are Luke McGrath, Joey Carbery and Jordan Larmour.

Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Keith Earls, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Kieran Marmion, 8 CJ Stander, 7 Dan Leavy, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 5 James Ryan, 4 Devin Toner, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Rory Best, 1 Cian Healy

Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Andrew Porter, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Josh van der Flier, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Joey Carbery, 23 Jordan Larmour

Date: Saturday, November 17

Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin

Kick-off: 19.00 (19.00 GMT; 08.00 NZ time Sunday, November 18)

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

Assistant referees: Mathieu Raynal (France), Marius Mitrea (Italy)

TMO: Rowan Kitt (England)