Veteran Sexton to captain Ireland as Stockdale returns for autumn Tests

Jacob Stockdale returned to the Ireland squad after a 15-month absence on Wednesday as coach Andy Farrell named six uncapped players in a 37-man group for the autumn internationals.

Ireland, top of the world rankings after their stunning 2-1 Test series win in New Zealand in July, will face world champions South Africa, Fiji and Australia in Dublin in the November Tests.

They open their campaign against the Springboks on 5 November.

Ulster wing Jacob Stockdale returns following a lengthy injury lay-off, his last cap coming in July 2021, while Leinster's James Lowe misses out because of a calf problem.

Captained by Johnny Sexton, Ireland will have six players looking to make their senior international debuts -- Ciaran Frawley, Jeremy Loughman, Joe McCarthy, Calvin Nash, Jimmy O'Brien and Cian Prendergast.

Separately, it was announced on Wednesday that England will play Ireland in Dublin on 19 August next year ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

"It's a great chance to benchmark ourselves against the current number one team in the world," said England coach Eddie Jones.

"We are looking forward to taking them on in front of a lively Irish crowd and work towards being at our best for when the Rugby World Cup starts."

Ireland squad for autumn internationals

Forwards: Ryan Baird (Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Connacht), Tadhg Beirne (Munster), Jack Conan (Leinster), Gavin Coombes (Munster), Caelan Doris (Leinster), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster), Dave Heffernan (Connacht), Cian Healy (Leinster), Rob Herring (Ulster), Jeremy Loughman (Munster), Joe McCarthy (Leinster), Peter O'Mahony (Munster), Tom O'Toole (Ulster), Andrew Porter (Leinster), Cian Prendergast (Connacht), James Ryan (Leinster), Dan Sheehan (Leinster), Nick Timoney