rugby

Shock change in Irish back row as Joe Schmidt names team for Scotland clash

Published 13:48 17 Mar 2016 GMT

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Joe Schmidt is determined to end a Six Nations that never got going in the best way possible.

It is no surprise, then, that the Kiwi has made just the one change to the team for Ireland's final game of the championship. Scotland are coming to Dublin off the back of two wins - Italy and France - but Ireland are fresh from putting 58 points on the Azzurri. Rory Best trained with the team this morning, allowing Schmidt the luxury of naming an (almost) unchanged starting XV. The only change from the Italian thrashing came in the back row as Tommy O'Donnell comes in for Josh van der Flier who is denied his third start at openside.

Simon Zebo continues at fullback, with Robbie Henshaw and Jared Payne together in midfield. In the pack, Ultan Dillane will have to settle for a spot on the bench. The Connacht lock is joined there by Cian Healy, who returns to the fray after passing fitness tests early in the week.

IRELAND 15. Simon Zebo 14. Andrew Trimble 13. Jared Payne 12. Robbie Henshaw 11. Keith Earls 10. Johnny Sexton 9. Conor Murray 1. Jack McGrath 2. Rory Best 3. Mike Ross 4. Donnacha Ryan 5. Devin Toner 6. CJ Stander 7. Tommy O'Donnell 8. Jamie Heaslip Replacements: Strauss, C Healy, White, Dillane, Ruddock, Reddan, Madigan, McFadden.