Robbie Henshaw returns to Ireland line-up for Samoa encounter

Robbie Henshaw will feature for Ireland for the first time in the ongoing World Cup after he was named in the starting line-up in their must-win game against Samoa to be played in Fukuoka on Saturday.

Henshaw missed all the three games for Ireland in the showpiece event until now after picking up a hamstring injury leading into the tournament. The 26-year-old will partner with Bundee Aki at centre while Jordan Larmour is at fullback and Keith Earls along with Jacob Stockdale are at wings.

Jonathan Sexton retains his fly-half position while Conor Murray makes a return at scrum-half with CJ Stander, Josh van der Flier and Tadhg Beirne in back-row.

Rory Best returns at hooker and will be leading the side with Cian Healy and Tadhg Furlong part of front-row with Iain Henderson and James Ryan have been chosen as the locks.

Joey Carbery also has overcome an ankle injury and will take a place on the bench that also has Peter O'Mahony, Andrew Conway, Niall Scannell, Dave Kilcoyne, Andrew Porter, Jean Kleyn and Luke McGrath.

Joe Schmidt's side are positioned second in Pool A with 11 points and must win their game against Samoa to book a quarter-final berth.

Ireland starting line-up: 15 Jordan Larmour, 14 Keith Earls, 13 Robbie Henshaw,12 Bundee Aki, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 1 Cian Healy, 2 Rory Best (c), 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Iain Henderson, 5 James Ryan, 6 Tadhg Beirne, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 CJ Stander

Reserves: 16 Niall Scannell, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Andrew Porter, 19 Jean Kleyn, 20 Peter O'Mahony, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Joey Carbery, 23 Andrew Conway