WATCH: Limerick man Keith Earls to captain Ireland for the first time

Keith Earls will captain Ireland for the first time tomorrow, Tuesday

placeholder image — Keith Earls will captain Ireland for the first time tomorrow, Tuesday

LIMERICK man Keith Earls will captain Ireland for the first time on Tuesday as Andy Farrell's side take on the Māori All Blacks at Sky Stadium in Wellington, 8.05am Irish time.

Earls revealed that the last time he captained a team in a rugby game was while playing for the Thomond RFC U14 side.

Craig Casey and Ciaran Frawley are retained at half-back for Ireland's game with the Maori All-Blacks while Stuart McCloskey comes into partner Earls in the midfield. Michael Lowry is introduced at fullback with Jimmy O’Brien switching to the left wing and Jordan Larmour is on the right.

The front row consists of Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell and Tom O’Toole with Joe McCarthy and Kieran Treadwell named at lock. The backrow from the first game against the Māori is retained with Cian Prendergast at 6, Nick Timoney at 7 and Gavin Coombes at No.8.

The replacements include Rob Herring, Ed Byrne, Finlay Bealham, Ryan Baird, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Joey Carbery and Mack Hansen.

The game will be televised live by SKY Sports at 8.05am Irish time.

Ireland v Māori All Blacks

SKY Stadium, Wellington, Tuesday, July 12

KO: 8.05am Irish Time

15. Michael Lowry (Ulster/Banbridge) 1 cap

14. Jordan Larmour (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 30 caps

13. Keith Earls (Munster/Young Munster) 97 caps CAPTAIN

12. Stuart McCloskey (Ulster/Bangor) 6 caps

11. Jimmy O’Brien (Leinster/Naas) uncapped

10. Ciaran Frawley (Leinster/Skerries) uncapped

9. Craig Casey (Munster/Shannon) 5 caps