Ireland to field one of their heaviest back-lines ever against South Africa

Ireland has named one of its heaviest backlines in recent memory, fielding a back-line with an average weight of 98.8kg.

21-year old Jacob Stockdale comes into the team as one of the fastest players in the Emerald Isle, weighs in at an impressive 102kg.

Rory Best returns to captain the side having missed the Summer Tour as a member of the British & Irish Lions squad. Best is joined in the front row by Cian Healy and Tadhg Furlong.

Iain Henderson and Devin Toner pack down in the second row. Peter O’Mahony and Sean O’Brien, who will win his 50th cap, are on the flanks with CJ Stander at No.8.

Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton fill the half-back slots while Bundee Aki will win his first cap for Ireland alongside his former provincial colleague Robbie Henshaw.

Stockdale and Conway are named on the wings with Rob Kearney at fullback.

The uncapped Darren Sweetnam is named in the replacements, while James Ryan, who his first cap on the Summer Tour is also included.

The opening Test match of the 2017 Guinness Series at the Aviva Stadium against South Africa kicks off at 17.30 and has been sold out since early October.

The third game of the series against Argentina is also sold out while there remain a limited number of tickets available for the middle fixture against Fiji.

Ireland Team & Replacements (v South Africa, Guinness Series 2017, Aviva Stadium, Saturday, November 11, 5.30pm)

15. Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster) 76 caps
14. Andrew Conway (Garryowen/Munster) 3 caps
13. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster) 29 caps
12. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht)*
11. Jacob Stockdale (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 2 caps
10. Johnny Sexton (St Mary’s College/Leinster) 66 caps
9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) 57 caps
1. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) 70 caps
2. Rory Best (c) (Banbridge/Ulster) c 104 caps
3. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster) 16 caps
4. Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 32 caps
5. Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster) 50 caps
6. Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster) 40 caps
7. Sean O’Brien (UCD/Leinster) 49 caps
8. CJ Stander (Shannon/Munster) 15 caps

Replacements
16. Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 1 cap
17. Dave Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster) 20 caps
18. John Ryan (Cork Constitution/Munster) 9 caps
19. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster) 2 caps
20. Rhys Ruddock (St Mary’s College/Leinster) 16 caps
21. Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht) 16 caps
22. Joey Carbery (Clontarf/Leinster) 4 caps
23. Darren Sweetnam (Cork Constitution/Munster)*

*Denotes Uncapped Player