Fekitoa and Piutau among Tonga starters v Ireland

Former Munster centre Malakai Fekitoa and ex-Ulster full-back Salesi (Charles) Piutau are both included in a star-studded Tonga side to take on Ireland in Saturday's Rugby World Cup Pool B meeting (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player) in Nantes.

The pair are among four ex-All Blacks in the Tonga line-up, with Vaea Fifita and Augustine Pulu also included.

Fekitoa - who won the World Cup with New Zealand in 2015 - forms a powerful centre partnership with Toulouse star Pita Ahki in midfield, while Piutau slots into his usual position of full-back in between wingers Solomone Kata and Afusipa Taumoepeau.

William Havili, younger brother of current All Black David Havili, starts at out-half with the experience of Pulu inside him.

In the pack, the Ikale Tahi are captained by powerful Bordeaux Begles prop Ben Tameifuna, who is joined in the front row by loosehead Siegfried Fisi'ihoi and hooker Paula Ngauamo.

Former Connacht prop Halaleva (Leva) Fifita starts in the second row, with dynamic Scarlets lock Sam Lousi joining him in the engine room.

The younger of the Fifita brothers, former New Zealand international Vaea Fifita, starts at number 8, with Tanginoa Halaifonua and Sione Talitui on the flanks.

Tonga: Salesi Piutau; Afusipa Taumoepeau, Malakai Fekitoa, Pita Ahki, Solomone Kata; William Havili, Augustine Pulu; Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, Paula Ngauamo, Ben Tameifuna (capt); Sam Lousi, Halaleva Fifita; Tanginoa Halaifonua, Sione Talitui, Vaea Fifita

Replacements: Sam Moli, Tau Koloamatangi, Sosefo Apikotoa, Semisi Paea, Solomone Funaki, Sione Vailanu, Sonatane Takul, Fine Inisi

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