Robbie Henshaw will start in place of Garry Ringrose for Ireland’s Round 2 clash against Wales, in one of two changes to the starting XV made by head coach Andy Farrell.
The 26-year-old Leinster star joined the action against Scotland at half-time following Ringrose’s finger injury, and is given the nod in midfield alongside Connacht’s Bundee Aki.
Elsewhere, Peter O’Mahony comes in for Caelan Doris, whose hotly-anticipated debut was cut short in the 2018 Grand Slam champions’ hard-fought 19-12 win, following a clash of heads with Adam Hastings.
O’Mahony’s introduction in the early stages last time out signalled a move to the more familiar role of No.8 for CJ Stander, and the Munster stalwart will assume the position from the off this time around.
Conor Murray – who made the second-highest number of passes in Round 1 (78) – retains his place at scrum-half, with John Cooney lining up as a replacement for the second week running.
There are two changes made on the bench with Max Deegan primed to make his international debut, while Keith Earls could get his first minutes of the Championship having been passed fit to play.
Ireland team to play Wales
15. Jordan Larmour (Leinster) 22 caps
14. Andrew Conway (Munster) 19 caps
13. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster) 41 caps
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht) 24 caps
11. Jacob Stockdale (Ulster) 26 caps
10. Jonathan Sexton (Leinster) 89 caps CAPTAIN
9. Conor Murray (Munster) 79 caps
1. Cian Healy (Leinster) 96 caps
2. Rob Herring (Ulster) 9 caps
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster) 42 caps
4. Iain Henderson (Ulster) 54 caps
5. James Ryan (Leinster) 24 caps
6. Peter O’Mahony (Munster) 65 caps
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster) 24 caps
8. CJ Stander (Munster) 38 caps
Replacements:
16. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster) 1 cap
17. Dave Kilcoyne (Munster) 37 caps
18. Andrew Porter (Leinster) 24 caps
19. Devin Toner (Leinster) 68 caps
20. Max Deegan (Leinster) 0 caps
21. John Cooney (Ulster) 9 caps
22. Ross Byrne (Leinster) 4 caps
23. Keith Earls (Munster) 82 caps
