Ireland name unchanged XV for quarter-final against New Zealand

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has named an unchanged starting line up for the upcoming Rugby World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand to be played at Stade de France on Saturday.

The decision follows after Mack Hansen, who left the field for a Head Injury Assessment followed by a calf injury during the previous game against Scotland has recovered in time for the all-important encounter taking his place at right wing.

He will be joined by James Lowe at left wing as he also had recovered from an eye injury that he picked during the encounter against Gregor Townsend's men.

Nevertheless, there are two changes on the bench as James Ryan, who picked a wrist injury in their last game has flown back to Dublin to have a scan with Joe McCarthy taking his place in the matchday squad as Iain Henderson is retained at second row alongside Tadhg Beirne.

Leinster back Jimmy O'Brien, who is the only Irish player yet to feature in the tournament has been included in the reserves.

Ireland have never won a quarter-final in a World Cup previously and were eliminated in the 2019 edition by the All Blacks at the same stage.

Ireland XV: Keenan; Hansen, Ringrose, Aki, Lowe; Sexton (capt), Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong; Beirne, Henderson; O’Mahony, van der Flier, Doris.

Reserves: Kelleher, Kilcoyne, Bealham, McCarthy, Conan, Murray, Crowley, O’Brien.