The fly-half, who toured Australia in 2013 and New Zealand in 2017, takes over the captaincy from fellow Lion Rory Best, who retired following Ireland’s exit from the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals last year. He is joined in Andy Farrell’s first team as head coach by fellow Lions Cian Healy, Tadhg Furlong, Iain Henderson, CJ Stander and Conor Murray. Scrum-half Murray has held off a strong challenge from John Cooney to take the No.9 jersey, while Leinster youngster Caelan Doris makes his debut at No.8. Doris’ inclusion has nudged Stander to blindside flanker from his usual No.8 spot, while Healy is set for his 96

Ireland cap. Lock Devin Toner returns to the Ireland side after his surprise omission from the World Cup and he is joined on the replacements bench by the equally-experienced Peter O’Mahony.

Ireland team to face Scotland:

15. Jordan Larmour (Leinster) 21 caps 14. Andrew Conway (Munster) 18 caps 13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster) 28 caps 12. Bundee Aki (Connacht) 23 caps 11. Jacob Stockdale (Ulster) 25 caps 10. Jonathan Sexton (Leinster) 88 caps Captain 9. Conor Murray (Munster) 78 caps 1. Cian Healy (Leinster) 95 caps 2. Rob Herring (Ulster) 8 caps 3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster) 41 caps 4. Iain Henderson (Ulster) 53 caps 5. James Ryan (Leinster) 23 caps 6. CJ Stander (Munster) 38 caps 7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster) 23 caps 8. Caelan Doris (Leinster)*   Replacements: 16. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster)* 17. Dave Kilcoyne (Munster) 36 caps 18. Andrew Porter (Leinster) 23 caps 19. Devin Toner (Leinster) 67 caps 20. Peter O’Mahony (Munster) 64 caps 21. John Cooney (Ulster) 8 caps 22. Ross Byrne (Leinster) 3 cap s 23. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster) 40 caps