Autumn Nations Cup: James Lowe to make Ireland debut against Wales

Ulster fly-half Billy Burns could make his Ireland debut from the bench

Leinster winger James Lowe will make his Ireland debut in Friday's Autumn Nations Cup opener against Wales.

The New Zealand-born 28-year-old qualified through residency and starts in Dublin alongside Hugo Keenan and Jacob Stockdale in the back three.

Jamison Gibson-Park makes his maiden start at scrum-half while Ulster fly-half Billy Burns is in line to make his debut from the bench.

Ronan Kelleher returns from injury to start at hooker for Andy Farrell's men.

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With the side showing seven changes from the Six Nations defeat by France, Kelleher replaces Ulster's Rob Herring at hooker with Iain Henderson coming back into the side after serving a suspension to start in the second row with James Ryan.

Caelan Doris retains his spot in the back row and will pack down at number eight along with flankers Peter O'Mahony and Josh van der Flier as Will Connors drops to the bench and CJ Stander misses out.

Gibson-Park's debut provides a new all-Leinster half-back axis alongside skipper Johnny Sexton while Robbie Henshaw will partner Chris Farrell at centre as Bundee Aki is not included in the squad.

Explosive winger James Lowe has been in fine form since joining Leinster in 2017

Lowe will make his long-awaited debut for Ireland on the left wing while Keenan and Stockdale, who is retained at full-back despite criticism after the France defeat, complete the team.

Ireland coach Farrell backed Lowe to provide an "extra dimension" to the Irish attack.

"We've all seen him play in the Pro14 and what he brings for Leinster, so hopefully he can definitely bring the same," said the coach.

Stockdale is retained at full-back despite his unconvincing display in the Stade de France with Farrell dismissing suggestions the Ulsterman will need a vastly-improved performance to hold on to the number 15 jersey.

"Obviously there a few things that he needs to put right from his last game but we think he's a pretty important player for us and he gets the opportunity to go again."

Dave Heffernan, Ed Byrne and Finlay Bealham make up the front row replacements while Will Connors and Quinn Roux provide the remaining cover for the forwards.

Regular starting scrum-half Conor Murray drops to the bench alongside debutant Burns and the returning Keith Earls.

The game against Wales on 13 November is the inaugural match of the new-look tournament, with another home game against Georgia in Group A followed by a trip to Twickenham to take on England.

Ireland: Keenan; Conway, Farrell, Henshaw, Lowe; Sexton, Gibson-Park; Healy, Kelleher, Porter; Roux, Ryan; O'Mahony, van der Flier, Doris.

Replacements: Heffernan, E Byrne, Bealham, Beirne, Connors, Murray, Burns, Earls.

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