Ireland will welcome back some experienced players for Saturday’s match with Wales, as well as some relatively new faces.
With five changes from the team that beat Italy 56-19 in Dublin, head coach Joe Schmidt has combined welcoming some players back from injury, as he loses other by way of the medical bay.
Beginning at prop, Cian Healy returns. The 30-year-old will make his 76th Ireland appearance on Saturday, and will bolster the forwards division just in time for the tough test Wales should give.
Andrew Porter steps in for Tadhg Furlong at tight-head prop, in addition to the return of Healy.
Youngster James Ryan will make his second start of the tournament in the second row, as Iain Henderson is ruled out through injury.
At number eight, C.J. Stander returns to the starting XV, with Jack Conan dropping down to the bench.
The shoulder injury sustained by Robbie Henshaw seems to have ended his Six Nations, and Chris Farrell will step in as a replacement at outside centre.
The full Irish team reads as follows: Rob Kearney, Keith Earls, Chris Farrell, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale, Jonny Sexton, Conor Murray, Cian Healy, Rory Best, Andrew Porter, James Ryan, Devon Toner, Peter O’Mahony, Dan Leavy, C.J. Stander. SUBS: Sean Cronin, Jack McGrath, John Ryan, Quinn Roux, Jack Conan, Kieran Marmion, Joey Carberry, Joey McFadden.
