Rugby: Stewart makes maiden Ireland start in final World Cup warm-up

Head Coach Andy Farrell has named his Ireland Match Day Squad to face Samoa in Saturday’s final Rugby World Cup warm-up fixture at Stade Jean-Dauger in Bayonne (7.45pm Irish time).

Ulster Captain Iain Henderson will lead Andy Farrell's team out in Bayonne, with Ulster hooker Stewart rewarded for his fine form as he makes his first international start. Ulster centre Stuart McCloskey starts at inside centre, with Rob Herring and Tom O'Toole hoping to make their impact from the bench.

Following the Nations Series wins over Italy and England at the Aviva Stadium, the Ireland squad have spent this week in Bayonne to finalise their preparations for the Rugby World Cup, with a little over two weeks to go until their tournament opener against Romania in Bordeaux.

Jimmy O’Brien, Mack Hansen and Keith Earls, fresh from winning his 100th Test cap last weekend, start in the back three, with Robbie Henshaw and McCloskey in midfield. There's an all Munster half-back pairing as Jack Crowley and Conor Murray start at out-half and scrum-half respectively.

In the pack, Cian Healy and Finlay Bealham are selected either side of Tom. Henderson partners Tadhg Beirne in the engine room, with Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris completing the starting XV.

There is a wealth of experience at Farrell’s disposal among the replacements, with Herring, Jeremy Loughman and O’Toole providing the front row reinforcements. James Ryan and Peter O’Mahony offer cover in the second and back row, while Craig Casey, Ross Byrne and Garry Ringrose are the backline options.