Carter Back For The Blacks

Dan Carter makes a return to the international arena, named in the All Blacks side for the first of three Tests against Ireland, in Auckland’s Eden Park on Saturday.

Carter will become New Zealand's most-capped fly-half, 85 Test appearances to date since his debut in 2003 and this will be the 71st time that he starts in the number 10 jersey.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has named three newcomers, Hurricanes left-wing Julian Savea, Highlanders scrum-half Aaron Smith and Chiefs lock Brodie Retallick who, at 21 years and 9 days, is set to become the second youngest lock in All Blacks history since Waikato lock Mark Mark Cooksley who made his Test debut against a World XV in 1992.

New Zealand: Israel Dagg; Zac Guildford, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Julian Savea; Dan Carter, Aaron Smith; Tony Woodcock, Andrew Hore, Owen Franks; Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock; Victor Vito, Richie McCaw (c), Kieran Read. Replacements: Hika Elliot, Ben Franks, Ali Williams, Adam Thomson, Piri Weepu, Aaron Cruden, Ben Smith.