Leinster v Munster - Preview

Jonathan Sexton returns in one of nine Leinster changes for the Pro12 derby against Munster.

Zane Kirchner, Dave Kearney, Eoin Reddan, Jack McGrath, Sean Cronin, Devin Toner, Jordi Murphy and Jamie Heaslip also come in for the hosts.

Second-placed Leinster are seven points clear of Irish rivals Munster, who make five changes.

Conor Murray, Francis Saili and Andrew Conway return, along with James Cronin and CJ Stander, who is named captain.

Murray partners Johnny Holland at half-back, with Saili overcoming a bang to the shoulder to resume his midfield partnership with Rory Scannell.

As a result, Keith Earls makes a positional switch to the wing and joins Conway and full-back Simon Zebo in the back three.

Munster are boosted by the return of Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray for the Aviva Stadium derby

Munster have Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray back for the Aviva Stadium derby

Cronin will start alongside Niall Scannell and Stephen Archer in the front row, with Stander coming in to join Dave O'Callaghan and Tommy O'Donnell in the back row.

With Kirchner returning at full-back, Leinster captain Isa Nacewa moves to the right wing with Kearney also back in the equation on the left wing.

There are two new half backs in Reddan and Sexton - back in the Leinster side for the first time since the defeat by Wasps in January - while five changes in the pack include two in the front row, with McGrath and Cronin starting alongside Tadhg Furlong.

Toner returns to partner Hayden Triggs in the second row, while in the back row Rhys Ruddock is again selected - but moves from number eight to blindside flanker.

Murphy comes in at open-side while Heaslip completes the pack at number eight.

Leinster

Zane Kirchner; Isa Nacewa (capt), Garry Ringrose, Ben Te'o, Dave Kearney; Johnny Sexton, Eoin Reddan; Jack McGrath, Sean Cronin, Tadhg Furlong, Devin Toner, Hayden Triggs, Rhys Ruddock, Jordi Murphy, Jamie Heaslip.

Replacements: Richardt Strauss, Cian Healy, Mike Ross, Ross Molony, Josh van der Flier, Luke McGrath, Ian Madigan, Fergus McFadden.

Munster

Simon Zebo; Andrew Conway, Francis Saili, Rory Scannell, Keith Earls; Johnny Holland, Conor Murray; James Cronin, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer; Donnacha Ryan, Billy Holland; Dave O'Callaghan, Tommy O'Donnell, CJ Stander (capt).

Replacements: Mike Sherry, Dave Kilcoyne, John Ryan, Robin Copeland, Jack O'Donoghue, Tomás O'Leary, Ian Keatley, Darren Sweetnam.

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Connacht v Leinster - Preview

Peter Robb will make his Pro12 debut for leaders Connacht while Luke Fitzgerald returns for Leinster for Saturday's top-of-the-table contest.

Connacht's two changes from the win over Edinburgh see Robb, 21, and Niyi Adeolokun replacing Craig Ronaldson and Danie Poolman in the backs.

Ireland centre Robbie Henshaw is named in the Connacht replacements.

Fitzgerald's inclusion after injury is one of eight Leinster changes from last Friday's defeat by Glasgow. The wing missed Ireland's entire Six Nations campaign because of a medial ligament injury.

Fitzgerald is joined in the backline by Ian Madigan and Fergus McFadden who both featured as replacements in Ireland's win over Scotland.

Richardt Strauss, Cian Healy and Rhys Ruddock will also start for Leinster in Galway after being introduced by Ireland last weekend while another of Joe Schmidt's Six Nations players Josh van der Flier is named in the back row.

A strong Leinster bench includes Ireland players Jamie Heaslip, Jack McGrath, Mike Ross, Devin Toner, Sean Cronin and Eoin Reddan.

Henshaw is joined in the Connacht replacements by another Ireland squad member Finlay Bealham.

Nathan White, who featured in all five of Ireland's Six Nations games, will start in the Connacht front row while youngster Sean O'Brien is again named in the back row alongside Jake Heenan and skipper John Muldoon.

Connacht go into the Sportsground contest a point ahead of Leo Cullen's Leinster side.

Connacht

T O'Halloran; N Adeolokun, B Aki, P Robb, M Healy; AJ MacGinty, K Marmion; D Buckley, T McCartney, N White; Q Roux , A Muldowney; S O'Brien, J Heenan, J Muldoon (capt) 

Replacements: D Heffernan, R Loughney, F Bealham, A Browne, E McKeon, C Blade, S O'Leary, R Henshaw.

Leinster

I Nacewa (capt); F McFadden, G Ringrose, B Te'o, L Fitzgerald; I Madigan, L McGrath; C Healy, R Strauss, T Furlong; R Molony, H Triggs; D Ryan, J van der Flier, R Ruddock

Replacements: S Cronin, J McGrath, M Ross, D Toner, J Heaslip, E Reddan, N Reid, Z Kirchner

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England v Ireland - Preview

England make two changes to the side who beat Italy, with Maro Itoje and Joe Marler coming into the pack.

Itoje makes his first start at lock and prop Marler replaces Mako Vunipola, while uncapped centre Elliot Daly is on the bench.

Ireland hand debuts to centre Stuart McCloskey and flanker Josh van der Flier as they make five changes to the side who lost to France.

Also coming in to the side are Keith Earls, Donnacha Ryan and Mike Ross.

England head coach Eddie Jones: "Playing our first game at Twickenham after two away fixtures will be huge for us. We're determined to put in a strong performance against a clever Irish side who are the benchmark of European rugby."

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt on attempted mind games by Jones: "I think we're probably less affected by those extraneous things than you people are.

"That's because if we're distracted by that, then that's something that we're wasting energy and time on.

"We get little enough time together as it is. And we're all about making sure that we can be organised, enthusiastic and well-recovered, not distracted.

"People are within their rights to make whatever observation they like from outside the environment. But we know how things are inside the environment."

Head-to-head

England have won four out of the last five meetings against Ireland after only winning one out of the eight games preceding that.

So far in this Six Nations, England have scored more points (55) than the games involving Ireland have provided in total (51).

England are yet to concede a try in this year's Six Nations - restricting both Scotland and Italy to nine points apiece in their two matches so far.

They have started the Six Nations with successive victories for the sixth time in seven years.

Ireland have failed to win their opening two matches of the Five/Six Nations for the first time since 1998, a year in which they picked up the Wooden Spoon.

They scored 82 points in their three away games in the 2015 Six Nations, but managed just nine against France.

England

Mike Brown, Anthony Watson, Jonathan Joseph, Owen Farrell, Jack Nowell, George Ford, Ben Youngs; Joe Marler, Dylan Hartley (captain), Dan Cole, Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Chris Robshaw, James Haskell, Billy Vunipola.

Replacements: Jamie George, Mako Vunipola, Paul Hill, Courtney Lawes, Jack Clifford, Danny Care, Elliot Daly, Alex Goode.

Ireland

Rob Kearney, Andrew Trimble, Robbie Henshaw, Stuart McCloskey, Keith Earls, Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray; Jack McGrath, Rory Best, Mike Ross, Donnacha Ryan, Devin Toner, CJ Stander, Josh van der Flier, Jamie Heaslip (captain).

Replacements: Richardt Strauss, Cian Healy, Nathan White, Ultan Dillane, Rhys Ruddock, Eoin Reddan, Ian Madigan, Simon Zebo.

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Romain Poite (FFR)

Touch judges: Nigel Owens (WRU) & Alexandre Ruiz (FFR)

TMO: Shaun Veldsman (SARU)

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Ireland Debut McCloskey and van der Flier

Stuart McCloskey and Josh van der Flier will make their Test debuts in Ireland’s Six Nations clash with England at Twickenham on Saturday.

Battering ram centre McCloskey has replaced injured Ulster team-mate Jared Payne in Ireland’s rejigged midfield, with Leinster’s 22-year-old Van der Flier starting at openside flanker.

Connacht’s 22-year-old lock Ultan Dillane could also make his Test bow off the bench, with Donnacha Ryan replacing concussion victim Mike McCarthy in Ireland’s injury-hit second row.

New Zealand-born centre Payne has failed to beat the hamstring problem he suffered in the 10-9 defeat to France, causing Ireland boss Joe Schmidt to move Robbie Henshaw to 13 to accommodate the uncapped McCloskey.

McCloskey and Henshaw will form what is surely Ireland’s biggest-ever centre pairing, with the 23-year-old Ulsterman having impressed hugely in PRO12 action this term.

McCloskey’s Ulster team-mate Luke Marshall admitted Ravenhill’s senior players mistook the 6ft 2ins, 17st powerhouse for a second row when he first pitched up for provincial training.

Now he has the chance to lay down a marker for a long-term spot in Ireland’s midfield, provided he can master the nerves of a Twickenham debut.

Leinster’s fast-developing flanker Van der Flier only signed his first senior contract in April, having made his provincial debut in March last year.

A natural scavenging openside, Ireland will hope Van der Flier will add an extra continuity edge against England’s imposing pack.

Ireland have battled a daunting injury catalogue in their 16-16 draw with Wales and defeat in France, leaving their chances of an unprecedented third-straight Six Nations title all but done and dusted already.

The return to fitness of seasoned and potent props Cian Healy and Mike Ross ought to shore up their previously creaking scrum however.

Healy has beaten knee surgery to take a seat on the bench, while Ross has recovered sufficiently from his hamstring issue to start at tighthead.

Ireland

Rob Kearney (Leinster), Andrew Trimble (Ulster), Robbie Henshaw (Connacht), Stuart McCloskey (Ulster), Keith Earls (Munster), Johnny Sexton (Leinster), Conor Murray (Munster), Jack McGrath (Leinster), Rory Best (Ulster, capt), Mike Ross (Leinster), Donnacha Ryan (Munster), Devin Toner (Leinster), C J Stander (Munster), Josh van der Flier (Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster). 

Replacements: R Strauss (Leinster), C Healy (Leinster), N White (Connacht), U Dillane (Connacht), R Ruddock (Leinster), E Reddan (Leinster), I Madigan (Leinster), S Zebo (Munster).

#ENGvIRE 

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Leinster Badly Stung by Wasps

Wasps recorded an emphatic 33-6 Champions Cup win over Leinster at the RDS Arena.

Charles Piutau was named man of the match for his defensive performance as well as his counter-attacking in the No 15 jersey, and though the All Black scored a try in the final minute, it was tries from Christian Wade and Joe Simpson that set up a vital win away from home for Wasps in what is a difficult Champions Cup group.

The boot of Ruaridh Jackson was worth 13 points while a pair of penalties from Jonny Sexton were the only points scored by the home side as they failed to ignite much attack in front of their home fans.

It was Wasps who opened the scoring in Dublin. Jack McGrath, preferred to Cian Healy in the No 1 jersey, was penalised at an early scrum and Jackson stepped up to hand his side the lead from the tee.

His effort was cancelled out by Sexton in the ninth minute, after Wasps strayed offside during a dangerous attack from Leinster on the back of a poor clearance kick from Elliot Daly.

Sexton missed an opportunity to give the hosts the lead moments later when Carlo Festuccia failed to roll away at the ruck, with the Irish fly-half unable to overcome the heavy wind as he sent it right.

Festuccia gave the Leinster No 10 another chance when he once again infringed at the breakdown, and at the second time of calling Sexton sent it through the uprights before Jackson drew his side level at the end of the first quarter.

Wasps then threatened down the left touchline thanks to deft work from Piuatu, and though the visitors were unable to score a try, he took a long-range kick at goal to make it 9-6 to Wasps after Daly was taken high in the tackle.

A clever box kick from Simpson and a good chase from Wade then brought about the first try of the game.

The kick went in behind Dave Kearney who was left flailing by the second bounce, and on the third bounce Wade plucked it from above a grounded Kearney to cross for an easy score and a 10-point lead for his side to take into the break.

Simpson got the scoring under way in the second half when a break from Frank Halai put the scrum-half into space behind the Leinster defence, and he raced away for the try and a 23-6 lead following the conversion.

The Wasps' defence held off any attempts from Leinster to fight their way back into the game, and the match was ended as a contest when Wasps' scrum dominance led to a penalty and Daly lined up a long-range kick at goal.

The centre left it short, but there was a knock-on when Leinster tried to collect the ball before Kearney made the ill-advised decision to play the ball from an offside position which resulted in a penalty under his side's poles.

Jackson placed the ball on the tee and slotted a regulation kick before Piutau rounded off the victory with a try in the corner with seconds remaining for an important win as Leinster fell to just their third defeat in 15 European pool games.

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OSM - Ireland's Call - Play Off or Knock Out

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France v Ireland - Teams

Iain Henderson is a shock absentee from the Ireland starting XV for Sunday's World Cup game against France while Jared Payne is not risked after injury.

Henderson, outstanding in recent games, is replaced by Devin Toner at lock while Keith Earls stays at centre as Payne recovers from a bruised foot.

Rob Kearney returns at full-back in place of Simon Zebo with Cian Healy preferred to Jack McGrath at prop.

France make two changes with Louis Picamoles and Noa Nakaitaci recalled.

Number eight Picamoles replaces Bernard le Roux in the back row for the Pool D decider in one of two changes from the 41-18 win over Canada.

Coach Philippe Saint-Andre's other change sees Fijian-born win Nakaitaci taking over from Remy Grosso.

Both France and Ireland have won their opening three games in Pool D and the losers of Sunday's match are likely to face New Zealand in the quarter-finals.

Henderson's demotion to the replacements is a big call by Ireland coach Joe Schmidt, with the New Zealander believing that six foot 11 inch Toner is needed to disrupt the effectiveness of the France line-out.

Yet Henderson's energetic work around the field has probably been the most impressive feature of Ireland's World Cup so far.

The Ulsterman was man of the match in last weekend's narrow win over Italy and is certain to come on during the Millennium Stadium contest.

Schmidt said the decision to recall Toner had been "a really tight call".

"Dev has been a big-match player for us and gives us a little bit more line-out capability," added the Ireland coach.

"We (also) do believe that at the back end of the game, Iain will add value."

Payne trained fully on Wednesday after missing the Italy game but swelling on his injured foot following that session sealed his fate.

France likely to target Sexton channel

With Earls remaining at centre, Tommy Bowe and Dave Kearney retain the wing spots as fit-again Rob Kearney returns at full-back in place of Simon Zebo.

Healy is named at loosehead prop after his Leinster team-mate McGrath started in the front row role against Italy.

Lions forward Healy started Ireland's second World Cup match against Romania after making his return to action following neck surgery as a replacement in the opening win over Canada.

In the France selection, Picamoles' return sees Damien Chouly switching to flanker with experienced skipper Thierry Dusautoir completing a strong back row.

France have talked this week of targeting Ireland pivot Johnny Sexton and skipper Dusautoir and number eight Picamoles will be central to that aim.

Toulon's powerful centre Mathieu Bastareaud is also likely to be part of France's tactics to disrupt fly-half Sexton.

Ireland: Rob Kearney; Tommy Bowe, Keith Earls, Robbie Henshaw, Dave Kearney; Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray; Cian Healy, Rory Best, Mike Ross; Devin Toner, Paul O'Connell; Peter O'Mahony, Sean O'Brien, Jamie Heasip.

Replacements: Richardt Strauss, Jack McGrath, Nathan White, Iain Henderson, Chris Henry, Eoin Reddan, Ian Madigan, Luke Fitzgerald.

France: Scott Spedding; Noa Nakaitaci, Mathieu Bastareaud, Wesley Fofana, Brice Dulin; Frederic Michalak, Sebastien Tillous-Borde; Eddy Ben Arous, Guilhem Guirado, Rabah Slimani; Pascal Pape, Yoann Maestri; Thierry Dusautior (capt), Damien Chouly, Louis Picamoles.

Replacements: Benjamin Kayser, Vincent Debaty, Nicolas Mas, Alexandre Flanquart, Bernard Le Roux, Morgan Parra, Remi Tales, Alexandre Dumoulin

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Schmidt - RWC Starts Now in Earnest

Ireland's World Cup campaign "starts in earnest now" after Sunday's convincing bonus-point victory over Romania, according to coach Joe Schmidt.

The 44-10 win sees Ireland go top of Pool D and they can seal a quarter-final spot if they beat Italy at the Olympic Stadium next Sunday.

"Next week is the pivotal week. It's pressure for us and pressure for Italy," said Schmidt.

"That is why people come to a World Cup - they want to see how teams respond."

After facing Italy, Ireland complete their pool fixtures with a match against France on October 11.

"For us it starts in earnest now, because we know we can qualify if we win next weekend," added Schmidt.

"The game against France just decides who we play in the quarter-final if we can win next week.

"Italy, after a win and a loss, need to win to qualify. It becomes a last-16 game for us."

Ireland must wait to find out if Rob Kearney will be fit after he was injured in scoring the fifth try shortly after coming on as a substitute.

"Rob was involved in a high-speed play after coming on the pitch and just after scoring the try he's jarred himself," Schmidt added.

"We hope it is not too much but the next 24 to 48 hours will tell if he has done anything telling for next week."

Losing Kearney would be a setback for Ireland, but several players impressed in a dominant performance against Romania.

Schmidt made 12 changes with Italy and France in mind, but his altered line-up showed few signs of weakness, scoring six tries, including four in the second half.

Tommy Bowe and Keith Earls crossed the line twice each, before Kearney and Chris Henry added two more late on, and Simon Zebo also staked a claim with an impressive display at full-back.

"There were a number of players who performed really well and will create a big of selection headache for Italy," Schmidt said.

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Schmidt Names Oldies But Goodies

Joe Schmidt has named the oldest starting line-up in World Cup history for Ireland’s second Pool D match against Romania, with the coach making 12 changes from the side that beat Canada 50-7 last Saturday.

Robbie Henshaw has failed to recover from hamstring trouble and Schmidt believes pitching the 21-year-old into action against Romania on Sunday could have risked the centre’s entire World Cup, but he is confident Henshaw will be ready to face Italy in Ireland’s third Pool D match, at the Olympic Stadium next month. Darren Cave slots in at 12 in his stead with Cian Healy also recalled at loosehead prop.

“At the start of the week we felt we had to take it a little bit easier than we first thought with Robbie,” said Schmidt, whose line-up has an average age of 29 years and 245 days. “He is fully running now and we just felt we’d rather not push ahead. Soft tissue injuries can be quite complicated.

“If you get a re-injury on the same site then you are in a situation where his World Cup could be in doubt. So we’ve taken no risk. There are times to take risks but this is a great opportunity for Darren Cave.”

Romania lost out 38-11 to France at the Olympic Stadium on Thursday and will be pressed into action only four days later against Ireland. Uneven rest periods have once again become a World Cup bugbear, with Japan suffering 45-10 defeat to Scotland just four days after stunning South Africa 34-32 in Brighton.

Johnny Sexton, Peter O’Mahony and Iain Henderson all returned to full training for Ireland on Friday after light knocks, but will not be considered for Sunday’s match.

Surprised to learn Ireland had set a new record for the World Cup’s oldest starting XV, Schmidt joked that the 34-year-old scrum-half Eoin Reddan may have skewed the stats. “Well Eoin Reddan has probably contributed to that. Is it really?” said a bemused Schmidt. “Hopefully the team won’t show its age.”

Schmidt has named four World Cup debutants in his side: Richardt Strauss, Devin Toner, Jordi Murphy and Cave. Henshaw will remain the only man of Ireland’s squad not to feature in the competition should Schmidt empty his full bench at Wembley.

The versatile playmaker Ian Madigan will start at fly-half but Schmidt admitted the Leinster player could move to scrum-half during the course of the match. Madigan is Ireland’s third and emergency scrum-half, covering for Conor Murray and Reddan, with Schmidt keen to hand him a first Test run at scrum-half this weekend.

“We want Ian and Paddy [Jackson] both to have some time at No10,” said Schmidt. “But if the game’s going in a direction where we feel Ian would benefit from 15 minutes at No9, then that’s possible.”

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