Robbie Henshaw will make his first Ireland start at full-back since his international debut as the reigning champions kick off their Guinness Six Nations Grand Slam defence against England.
Henshaw donned the No.15 jersey in his first Ireland appearance against USA back in 2013 and although his next 35 caps have come in the centres, he will return to full-back at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
That’s because Schmidt has stuck with the centre partnership of Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose that proved so successful in the autumn when Henshaw missed out through injury – meaning Jordan Larmour drops to the bench and Rob Kearney is out of the 23 altogether as he continues to battle fitness concerns.
Injuries to Iain Henderson and Tadhg Beirne in the second row mean Devin Toner and James Ryan will be the starting lock duo.
Twelve of the starting 15 also began the Grand Slam-clinching game against England at Twickenham in last year’s Championship with the only changes being Henshaw for Kearney, Toner for Henderson and Josh van der Flier in place of Dan Leavy at flanker.
It’s the same pack that started the historic home win over New Zealand in the autumn and Schmidt will be hoping they can set the tone as Ireland seek to become the first team to achieve back-to-back Grand Slams in the Six Nations era.
John Cooney is the back-up scrum-half to Conor Murray ahead of Caolin Blade, while Dave Kilcoyne will provide loosehead cover for Cian Healy.
Ireland team to face England at Aviva Stadium, Dublin – 4.45pm, Saturday 2 February: 15. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster) 14. Keith Earls (Munster) 13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster) 12. Bundee Aki (Connacht) 11. Jacob Stockdale (Ulster) 10. Johnny Sexton (Leinster) 9. Conor Murray (Munster) 1. Cian Healy (Leinster) 2. Rory Best (Ulster) – captain 3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster) 4. Devin Toner (Leinster) 5. James Ryan (Leinster) 6, Peter O’Mahony (Munster) 7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster) 8. CJ Stander (Munster)
Replacements: 16. Sean Cronin (Leinster) 17. Dave Kilcoyne (Munster) 18. Andrew Porter (Leinster) 19. Quinn Roux (Connacht) 20. Sean O’Brien (Leinster) 21. John Cooney (Ulster) 22. Joey Carbery (Munster) 23. Jordan Larmour (Leinster)
