JOE SCHMIDT HAS named Jared Payne at outside centre in his Ireland team to face Italy in the Six Nations on Saturday at the Aviva Stadium [KO 1.30pm].
Henshaw is back at 12, Zebo is at 15 and Payne starts at 13. Colm O'Neill / INPHO
Colm O'Neill / INPHO / INPHO
The Ulsterman is reunited with Robbie Henshaw in Ireland’s midfield, meaning Stuart McCloskey drops out of the squad after making his debut against England two weekends ago.
The only other change to Schmidt’s XV sees Simon Zebo selected at fullback in the injury-enforced absence of Rob Kearney.
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Andrew Trimble and Keith Earls retain their places on the wings, while Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray will again direct Ireland’s play from the halfback slots.
In the front row, captain Rory Best links up with Jack McGrath and Mike Ross, while Schmidt has resisted the temptation to hand Ultan Dillane a first start in the second row after his impressive debut off the bench in Twickenham.
Instead, Donnacha Ryan and Devin Toner continue in the engine room, while Jamie Heaslip, Josh van der Flier and CJ Stander form the back row for a second consecutive game. Van der Flier will win just his second cap on Saturday in Dublin.
On the bench, Sean Cronin is preferred to Richardt Strauss and Kieran Marmion is poised to win his fifth Ireland cap. Rhys Ruddock covers the back row, Ian Madigan is again selected ahead of Paddy Jackson, while Fergus McFadden is the 23rd man.
Ireland (v Italy):
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 (captain)
3. Mike Ross
4. Donnacha Ryan
5. Devin Toner
6. CJ Stander
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Jamie Heaslip
Replacements:
16. Sean Cronin
17. Cian Healy
18. Nathan White
19. Ultan Dillane
20. Rhys Ruddock
21. Kieran Marmion
22. Ian Madigan
23. Fergus McFadden
Schmidt restores Payne to 13 shirt as Zebo named at fullback for Italy clash
JOE SCHMIDT HAS named Jared Payne at outside centre in his Ireland team to face Italy in the Six Nations on Saturday at the Aviva Stadium [KO 1.30pm].
The Ulsterman is reunited with Robbie Henshaw in Ireland’s midfield, meaning Stuart McCloskey drops out of the squad after making his debut against England two weekends ago.
The only other change to Schmidt’s XV sees Simon Zebo selected at fullback in the injury-enforced absence of Rob Kearney.
Andrew Trimble and Keith Earls retain their places on the wings, while Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray will again direct Ireland’s play from the halfback slots.
In the front row, captain Rory Best links up with Jack McGrath and Mike Ross, while Schmidt has resisted the temptation to hand Ultan Dillane a first start in the second row after his impressive debut off the bench in Twickenham.
Instead, Donnacha Ryan and Devin Toner continue in the engine room, while Jamie Heaslip, Josh van der Flier and CJ Stander form the back row for a second consecutive game. Van der Flier will win just his second cap on Saturday in Dublin.
On the bench, Sean Cronin is preferred to Richardt Strauss and Kieran Marmion is poised to win his fifth Ireland cap. Rhys Ruddock covers the back row, Ian Madigan is again selected ahead of Paddy Jackson, while Fergus McFadden is the 23rd man.
Ireland (v Italy):
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 (captain)
3. Mike Ross
4. Donnacha Ryan
5. Devin Toner
6. CJ Stander
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Jamie Heaslip
Replacements:
16. Sean Cronin
17. Cian Healy
18. Nathan White
19. Ultan Dillane
20. Rhys Ruddock
21. Kieran Marmion
22. Ian Madigan
23. Fergus McFadden
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