ULSTER out-half Paddy Jackson will start the first of Ireland’s three tests against South Africa on Saturday, while Iain Henderson is named in the second row.
With Jonathan Sexton out of the tour with a shoulder injury, Jackson assumes the number 10 shirt ahead of Ian Madigan, who is named on the bench.
There had been speculation that Henderson would be named in the back row at openside, but he is named at lock ahead of Connacht’s Ultan Dillane, who impressed in his Six Nations cameos.
Jordi Murphy fills the number seven shirt, with South African-born CJ Stander lining up against his native country on the blindside.
Jared Payne moves from the centre to full-back, allowing Luke Marshall to partner Robbie Henshaw, while Andrew Trimble and Keith Earls continue on the wings.
Craig Gilroy is named among the replacements, with Kieran Marmion preferred to Eoin Reddan as the option at scrum-half.
Ireland have travelled for the three-game series without a handful of key players, including Sexton, Rob Kearney and Sean O'Brien.
Ireland: J Payne; A Trimble, R Henshaw, L Marshall, K Earls; P Jackson, C Murray; J McGrath, R Best, M Ross; I Henderson, D Toner; CJ Stander, J Murphy, J Heaslip
Replacements: S Cronin, F Bealham, T Furlong, U Dillane, R Ruddock, K Marmion, I Madigan, C Gilroy
