Rory Best will captain Ireland against Wales on his final home appearance in Dublin on Saturday.

Best, who will retire after the Word Cup in Japan, leads a strong side for Ireland's final warm-up match.

As expected, Johnny Sexton makes his first start at fly-half while Robbie Henshaw and Keith Earls also feature in the backline.

Jean Kleyn, who was selected over Devin Toner in Joe Schmidt's 31-man squad, starts at lock alongside James Ryan.

Schmidt, who will also bid farewell to the Aviva Stadium after the Wales game, has made 12 changes from last weekend's victory over the same opposition in Cardiff.

Sexton, Henshaw and Earls all make their first appearances of the warm-up fixtures while Jordan Larmour replaces Jacob Stockdale on the wing.

Rob Kearney comes in for Will Addison, who was omitted from the World Cup squad, at full-back.

There will be much focus on Sexton's half-back partnership with Conor Murray after a disappointing Six Nations campaign in the spring.

It is an entirely new front row from the Wales victory as Cian Healy and Tadhg Furlong join Best, while Kleyn has been given the nod ahead of Ulster's Iain Henderson to start beside James Ryan at lock.

Jack Conan retains his place at the base of the scrum while CJ Stander and Josh van der Flier come in for Tadhg Beirne and Peter O'Mahony at flanker.

'We have to perform'

Best says that his final appearance at the Aviva "isn't something I have given a lot of thought about" but admits the emotion may hit him after the game.

"I think for me it's about making sure we focus on our last game before we board the plane," said the 37-year-old.

"When it comes to the final whistle the realisation will set in but it's important for me and the team it doesn't affect our preparation.

"I'm sure It'll be a really big occasion when I look back on it, but as a team we have to perform and take a massive step forward."

'Squad announcement has put spring in our step'

While there has been much talk about the announcement of Schmidt's 31-man World Cup squad, Best feels that it has brought the team closer together,

"It's funny how it seems like there is so much more room," he added.

"You get an extra spring in your step and it's a great time to be around the squad.

"Before that, the sword is hanging over you head no matter where you are in the order.

"That creates drive and now we are in a 31 it's about us getting in our groups and sharing every little detail, and that's what makes a really good squad."

Defence coach Andy Farrell has called on Ireland to further raise the tempo and feels the players brought into the team have brought added energy to the squad.

"They've been held back for a week or two and are raring to go," said Farrell on the introduction of Sexton, Henshaw and Earls.

"It's important that we put in a cohesive performance and have the right mental attitude heading into the World Cup.

"It's about trying a few different combinations too. The squad is down to 31 players but there is still massive competition for places.

"It's our last game before we get on the plane on Wednesday and we're after a performance that we're proud of."

Ireland: Kearney; Larmour, Henshaw, Aki, Earls; Sexton, Murray; Healy, Best (capt), Furlong, Ryan, Kleyn, Stander, van der Flier, Conan.

Replacements: Cronin, Kilcoyne, Porter, Henderson, Ruddock, McGrath, Carty, Ringrose