Joe Schmidt names team to face Wales in final Six Nations clash

Joe Schmidt was forced to adjust for his fourth trip to Cardiff in charge of Ireland.

An injury to Josh van der Flier last week ruled him out of Saturday’s clash with Wales, with everything to play for on the final weekend of the 2019 Six Nations.

Ireland need to beat Wales and hope that Scotland overturn England if they are to win the title, although Warren Gatland will have his men raring to go to give everything for what would be his third Grand Slam.

Gatland has named an unchanged XV for the game, with Liam Williams recovering from a shoulder injury sustained in last weekend’s 18-11 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield.

TEAM NEWS 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Unbeaten Wales name unchanged squad for final 2019 #GuinnessSixNations encounter against @IrishRugby on Saturday. Dim newid i'r garfan am y 50fed gêm Chwe Gwlad Warren Gatland fel prif hyfforddwr Cymru.#HWFN #ForTheJersey pic.twitter.com/hB5pdUlrP9

— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@WelshRugbyUnion) March 14, 2019

Rob Kearney returns for Ireland after his late withdrawal against France last week, while Schmidt was forced to reshuffle his pack on account of van der Flier’s injury.

Sean O’Brien comes in at 7, joining Peter O’Mahony and CJ Stander in the back row, while Tadhg Beirne has been given the opportunity to show what he can do on the brightest stage at the Principality Stadium as he partners James Ryan for the Welsh clash.

#GuinnessSixNations

Here's the Ireland team for the final round of the @SixNationsRugby Championship.#TeamOfUs #WALvIRE #ShoulderToShoulder pic.twitter.com/Y1KZDYfb7Y

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) March 14, 2019

IRELAND XV

1. Cian Healy
2. Rory Best (captain)
3. Tadhg Furlong

4. Tadhg Beirne
5. James Ryan

6. Peter O’Mahony
7. Sean O’Brien
8. CJ Stander

9. Conor Murray
10. Johnny Sexton

11. Jacob Stockdale
12. Bundee Aki
13. Garry Ringrose
14. Keith Earls

15. Rob Kearney

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