Johnny Sexton starts as Ireland name strong team for RWC opener against Romania

Johnny Sexton has been named to start in Ireland's Rugby World Cup meeting with Romania on Saturday, with head coach Andy Farrell picking close to a full-strength side for the Pool B opener in Bordeaux.

The Ireland captain returns at out-half having missed the last six months through a combination of injury and suspension, and is put straight into the starting team as Ireland look to lay down a marker at the tournament.

The other notable selection in the starting XV is the inclusion of Joe McCarthy in the second row. The 22-year-old Leinster lock comes in to partner James Ryan in the engine room, winning his fourth cap after impressing during the warm-up games against Italy and England.

With McCarthy included in the second row, Tadhg Beirne moves into the back row where he starts at blindside flanker, a move which could be a nod towards Farrell's selection plans for the meeting with South Africa later in the pool.

Peter O'Mahony shifts across to the openside flank, while Caelan Doris packs down at number 8.

In the backline, Gibson-Park joins Sexton in the half-backs, while Bundee Aki gets the nod to start at inside centre where he partners Garry Ringrose

Keith Earls and James Lowe are included on the wings, either side of full-back Hugo Keenan.

On the bench, Rónan Kelleher returns from a hamstring injury, with Tom O'Toole and Jeremy Loughman the other front row replacements.

Iain Henderson, Josh van der Flier, Conor Murray and Robbie Henshaw also provide experience in reserve, while Jack Crowley is chosen ahead of Ross Byrne.

Ireland: Hugo Keenan; Keith Earls, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Johnny Sexton (capt), Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Rob Herring, Tadhg Furlong; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Tadhg Beirne, Peter