IRELAND HEAD COACH Joe Schmidt has made two changes to the starting line-up ahead of the decisive final day of Six Nations action.

The big surprise in the matchday 23 is the inclusion of Luke Fitzgerald, set to earn his first cap since the 2013 loss to New Zealand on the left wing.

Simon Zebo makes way for Fitzgerald and there is no place for the Corkman on the bench as Felix Jones continues to cover the back three positions.

The other change comes in the front row as Cian Healy replaces his team-mate for club and country Jack McGrath. Healy has been chomping at the bit to re-take his number one jersey since returning from a serious hamstring injury to make the replacements bench against France. Until now, Schmidt had preferred not to alter the team in the midst of a 10-game winning streak.

However, the Kiwi has resisted any urge to make wholesale changes as he chases back-to-back Six Nations titles. Jared Payne and Robbie Henshaw will start together for the sixth time while the back-row is also unchanged despite pressure from Jordi Murphy.

Winning is a minimum requirement for Schmidt’s side on Saturday, though the task in Murrayfield is complicated by being the second of three potential title-deciders.

With table toppers England last to get under way against France in Twickenham, Ireland know that they must attempt to, not only win, but run up as large a score as possible against Schmidt’s old Clermont accomplice, Vern Cotter.

Ireland (v Scotland, Saturday 14.30):

15. Rob Kearney
14. Tommy Bowe
13. Jared Payne
12. Robbie Henshaw
11. Luke Fitzgerald
10. Jonathan Sexton
9. Conor Murray

1. Cian Healy
2. Rory Best
3. Mike Ross
4. Devin Toner
5. Paul O’Connell (Capt.)
6. Peter O’Mahony
7. Sean O’Brien
8. Jamie Heaslip

16. Sean Cronin
17. Jack McGrath
18. Marty Moore
19. Iain Henderson
20. Jordi Murphy
21. Eoin Reddan
22. Ian Madigan
23. Felix Jones

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