Toner seeks to take down Scotland
Devin Toner is in line to win his 43rd senior international cap as he is included on the Irish team to face Scotland in the Six Nations opener at Murrayfield on Saturday, 2.25pm.
Toner was named by manager Joe Schmidt earlier this afternoon and will take his customary position at lock forward along with Iain Henderson.
There are no new caps on the team although Niall Scannell is in line to make his debut appearance as he has been named among the replacements.
Toner is now one of the most capped players in the Irish squad along with captain Rory Best (100), Jamie Heaslip (91), Rob Kearney (72), Keith Earls (54) and Conor Murray (53).
If Toner can replicate the level of performances he produced in recent season Toner will surely be in line for a place on the Lions team under Warren Gatland.
Toner was impressive in last year's victories over South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.
The giant Moynalvey man was a monthly winner of the Meath Sports Awards in November 2016.
The Irish team to face Scotland is: Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster), Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster), Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster), Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster), Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster), Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster), Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster); Jack McGrath (St Mary's/Leinster), Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster), Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster), Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster), CJ Sander (Munster), Sean O'Brien (UCD/Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster).
Replacements - Niall Scannell (Dolphin/Munster), Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) , John Ryan (Cork Constitution/Munster), Ultan Dillane (Corinthians/Connacht), Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster), Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht), Ian Keatley (Young Munster/Munster), Tommy Bowe (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster).
Scotland - Stuart Hogg, Sean Maitland, Huw Jones, Alex Dunbar, Tommy Seymour, Finn Russell, Greig Laidlaw (captain), Allan Dell, Fraser Brown, Zander Fagerson, Richie Gray, Jonny Gray, Ryan Wilson, Hamish Watson, Josh Strauss.
Replacements - Ross Ford, Gordon Reid, Simon Berghan, Tim Swinson, John Barclay, Ali Price, Duncan Weir, Mark Bennett.