Sexton returns to captain Ireland in World Cup opener against Romania 

As expected, Johnny Sexton returns from his ban to captain the side in Bordeaux, while Keith Earls starts on the right wing.

FIRST RUN OUT: Johnny Sexton has been named to start at out-half. Pic: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Johnny Sexton will make his first appearance since March when he returns from suspension to captain Ireland in their World Cup Pool B opener against Romania on Saturday.

Head coach Andy Farrell has named a strong if not full-strength team to open the Six Nations champions’ France 2023 campaign with fly-half Sexton, 38, having missed all of Ireland’s warm-up Tests following his three-match suspension, partnering scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park in a first-choice half-back partnership to take on the group outsiders.