Sheehan returns to captain Ireland against All Blacks at Eden Park

Dan Sheehan returns to lead Ireland in one of rugby’s most daunting venues on Saturday, captaining the side against New Zealand at Eden Park in a Nations Championship Test that kicks off at 7:10 pm local time. The 40-cap Leinster hooker missed last week’s 36-20 win over Japan in Newcastle but is straight back into the starting XV.

Sheehan had played 60 minutes in Ireland’s two-point victory over Australia a fortnight ago before being left out for the Japan fixture, with Tadhg Beirne stepping up as captain that day. Beirne now shifts to the blindside in a backrow completed by openside Josh van der Flier and No. 8 Jack Conan — all three of whom have Lions experience.

In the tight five, Tom O’Toole and Tadhg Furlong pack down either side of Sheehan, with Joe McCarthy and James Ryan forming the second row. Ronan Kelleher and Thomas Clarkson provide hooker and prop cover from the bench.

Jamison Gibson-Park, who was born in New Zealand, partners Sam Prendergast at half-back. The midfield pairing of Stuart McCloskey and Garry Ringrose brings more than 100 Test caps combined, while Jimmy O’Brien and Robert Baloucoune start on the wings and Hugo Keenan — a British and Irish Lion — fills the fullback berth. Bundee Aki is named among the replacements.

The stakes are considerable. Ireland memorably claimed a 2-1 series win in New Zealand four years ago, but Eden Park presents a different challenge entirely: the All Blacks have not been beaten there in 52 consecutive matches. Andy Farrell’s side will need to end that run to take the Nations Championship fixture.