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Three outstanding reasons why CJ Stander, Stuart McCloskey and Josh van der Flier will play England

Published 14:00 25 Feb 2016 GMT

Updated 09:52 25 Feb 2016 GMT

Patrick McCarry
Three outstanding reasons why CJ Stander, Stuart McCloskey and Josh van der Flier will play England

Homerugby

Joe Schmidt has selected three game-changers in his team to face England on Saturday.

The majority of Schmidt's selections met with resounding approval, today, with most Irish fans happy with their lot. Of the quintet of uncapped players that have train under Schmidt at Carton House - the others are Ultan Dillane and Finlay Bealham - three have stated resounding cases for selection. CJ Stander continues at blindside after an impressive start and Stuart McCloskey will partner Robbie Henshaw in the Irish midfield. Josh van der Flier's selection was somewhat of a surprise but he has already proved, in this season's Champions Cup, that he was mix it with highly physical outfits. Heading into a make-or-break game for Ireland, there are three empathic reasons why Schmidt made his calls. CJ Stander = Turnovers CJ Stander and Donnacha Ryan tackle Sergio Parisse 16/1/2016 Stuart McCloskey = Line-breaker Stuart McCloskey is tackled by Eamonn Sheridan and Maurie Fa'asavalu 10/1/2016 Josh van der Flier = Tackling machine Guinness PRO12, RDS, Dublin 1/1/2016 Leinster vs Connacht Connacht's Kieran Marmion and Josh van der Flier of Leinster Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/James Crombie *Updated from piece first posted on January 21

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