DUBLIN: Ireland named the strongest side in their series of World Cup warmup matches so far yesterday as Jonathan Sexton and captain Paul O’Connell returned to the starting lineup to face Wales at the Aviva Stadium.
Ireland easily beat Wales three weeks ago when both sides fielded mostly second-string teams, but Saturday’s test promises to be a more serious affair, with Robbie Henshaw, Conor Murray and Peter O’Mahony also returning for the Six Nations champions.
Elsewhere, Dave Kearney and the versatile pair of Keith Earls and Luke Fitzgerald will be given chances to nail down places in Ireland’s World Cup squad, their last chance to impress before coach Joe Schmidt names his 31-man squad for the tournament.
Competition for places is most intense in Ireland’s back five, and wing Andrew Trimble, who limped off on his return from an eight-month injury layoff when the sides met in Cardiff, will be monitored playing for Ulster today.
Ireland’s main injury worry, prop Cian Healy, is doing really well and may be able to play some part in the final warmup game against England next week, Schmidt said.
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