Toner set to face boks

Moynalvey’s Devin Toner will continue his increasingly formidable partnership with captain Paul O’Connell after both men were named to start in the second row for Ireland when they face South Africa at lansdowne Road on Saturday, 5.30.
Toner and O’Connell formed a hugely constructive pairing during last year’s Six Nations and with a hectic schedule of Autumn Internationals ahead the pair are considered as the lynchpin of the ireland forward division.
Saturday will mark Toner’s 18th appearance for Ireland. The 6’ 10” Meath man made his senior Ireland bow in November 2010 against Samoa.
He then made his first Six Nations appearances in 2013 against Scotland and Italy and followed this up with further appearances on the Summer Tour to USA and Canada.
Ulster’s Jared Payne will make his Ireland debut in a new centre partnership with Robbie Henshaw against South Africa.
The New Zealand-born back has qualified to represent Joe Schmidt’s side through residency after three years with the province and will wear the number 13 jersey with Henshaw starting at inside centre.
The backrow is made up of Jamie Heaslip, Chris Henry and Peter O’Mahony while the front row sees Jack McGrath and Mike Ross pack down either side of their provincial team-mate Sean Cronin.
Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton are re-united at half-back and Tommy Bowe returns to the back three for the first time since last year’s November internationals and lines out alongside Simon Zebo and Rob Kearney.
There is plenty of impact on the bench with Richardt Strauss, Dave Kilcoyne, Rodney Ah You, Mike McCarthy and Rhys Ruddock providing cover for the pack and Eoin Reddan, Ian Madigan and Felix Jones covering the outfield.
Ireland are missing a host of regulars through injury, such as Gordon D’Arcy, Cian Healy, Rory Best, Sean O’Brien and Andrew Trimble.
South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer has remained loyal to the players who beat New Zealand last month by naming an unchanged starting line-up for the opening match of their northern hemisphere tour in Dublin.

Ireland - Rob Kearney; Tommy Bowe, Jared Payne, Robbie Henshaw, Simon Zebo; Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray; Jamie Heaslip, Chris Henry, Peter O’Mahony; Paul O’Connell, Devin Toner; Mike Ross, Sean Cronin, Jack McGrath.
Replacements: Richardt Strauss, Dave Kilcoyne, Rodney Ah You, Mike McCarthy, Rhys Ruddock.