Munster duo Ryan and Earls return for Ireland

Munster pair Donnacha Ryan and Keith Earls will return from the international wilderness on Saturday after being named in Ireland's team to face Wales in a World Cup warm-up match.

Injuries have prevented lock Ryan and centre Earls from playing for their country for 29 months, but they will return to international action in Cardiff after head coach Joe Schmidt announced his line-up on Thursday.

The duo have not played for Ireland since a 22-15 loss to Italy in March 2013.

A line-up dominated by fringe players will be captained by Leinster number eight Jamie Heaslip at the Millennium Stadium.

After this weekend's match, Ireland will play Scotland, take on Wales in a return fixture in Dublin and then tackle England as they tune up for the World Cup.
Schmidt must name his final 31-man squad for the tournament on August 31.

Ireland have been drawn alongside France, Italy, Canada and Romania in Pool D at the World Cup and open their campaign against the Canadians in Cardiff on September 19.

Ireland team named on Thursday to play Wales in a World Cup warm-up game at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Saturday (1330 GMT kick-off):

Ireland (15-1)

Felix Jones; Andrew Trimble, Keith Earls, Darren Cave, Fergus McFadden; Paddy Jackson, Eoin Reddan; Jamie Heaslip (capt), Tommy O'Donnell, Jordi Murphy; Iain Henderson, Donnacha Ryan; Mike Ross, Richardt Strauss, Jack McGrath

Replacements: Rory Best, David Kilcoyne, Michael Bent, Dan Tuohy, Chris Henry, Kieran Marmion, Ian Madigan, Simon Zebo
Source: AFP