Murphy the only change for Ireland clash with England

Joe Schmidt has named Jordi Murphy in Ireland's Six Nations side to face England at the Aviva on Sunday.

Murphy the only change for Ireland clash with England

Joe Schmidt has named Jordi Murphy in Ireland's Six Nations side to face England at the Aviva on Sunday.

The Leinster player replaces Jamie Heaslip who was injured in the back by France's Pascal Pape during Ireland's win in Dublin almost two weeks ago.

Heaslip had to withdraw shortly after the incident and was initially

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Barcelona-born back-rower Murphy impressed in the tournament-opening 26-3 victory over Italy, when Heaslip missed out through shoulder and knee trouble.

Now the 23-year-old rising star of Leinster has his chance to confirm his Test arrival on the occasion of his seventh cap.

Tommy O’Donnell has recovered from concussion to take a seat on the bench, while fully-fit Eoin Reddan replaces Isaac Boss as the reserve scrum-half.

Jack McGrath has held off the challenge of fit-again British and Irish Lion Cian Healy to start.

Fast-improving 14-cap loosehead McGrath has proved his Test stability in Healy’s absence and has earned sufficient trust from boss Joe Schmidt to retain the number one shirt.

Ireland are gunning for a 10th consecutive victory to equal their all-time win record in Dublin on Sunday, and the highly-influential Healy will doubtless be deployed off the bench in the final quarter.

Healy took a seat on the bench for Ireland’s victory over France, returning to the Test fray following his severe hamstring tear in September.

Head coach Schmidt has resisted the temptation to restore the 27-year-old to his starting line-up, especially given a perceived dominance over England tighthead Dan Cole.

Ireland and England are the Six Nations’ only remaining unbeaten sides, with Schmidt’s men gunning to retain their title and Stuart Lancaster’s side seeking a fifth straight win over Ireland.

Ireland team to play England: R Kearney, T Bowe, J Payne, R Henshaw, S Zebo, J Sexton, C Murray, J Murphy, S O'Brien, P O'Mahony, P O'Connell, D Toner, M Ross, R Best, J McGrath

Replacements: Cronin, Healy, Moore, Henderson, O'Donnell, Reddan, Madigan, Jones

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