Healy absent as Ireland name strong starting XV to face England in Twickenham
Cian Healy won’t feature against England but otherwise Joe Schmidt has named a strong team for Ireland’s final game of this warm-up series.
With just two weeks to go to the tournament, Saturday’s game will give Schmidt a chance to run-out a close to full-strength side and see how they fare.
Rob Kearney is one noticeable absentee; in his place Simon Zebo starts at full-back and is joined in the back three by Tommy Bowe and Dave Kearney.
As expected, Robbie Henshaw and Jared Payne appear to be the first-choice centre partnership and start together at 12 and 13 respectively. Jonny Sexton takes up position at fly-half with Conor Murray at scrum-half.
The @IrishRugby team to play @EnglandRugby on Saturday in Twickenham is... #ShoulderToShoulder pic.twitter.com/kFIQW1L99d
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) September 3, 2015
After being rested for the game against Wales, Mike Ross returns to the front row, where he is joined by Rory Best and Jack McGrath.
Captain Paul O’Connell and Devin Toner lock down in the second row, with Peter O’Mahony, Sean O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip in the back row.
Last week Schmidt had suggested Healy could get a run-out against England, but there has been a change of heart since then and the Leinster man isn’t named amongst the replacements.
: S Zebo, T Bowe, , J Payne, R Henshaw, D Kearney, J Sexton, C Murray; J McGrath, R Best, M Ross, D Toner, P O'Connell - capt., P O'Mahony, S O'Brien, J Heaslip.
: R Strauss, T Furlong, N White, D Ryan, C Henry, E Reddan, I Madigan, D Cave.
