Ireland have not been beaten at home in the Six Nations since Joe Schmidt became their coach in 2013 but they will have to defend that record against Wales on Saturday without four players who toured New Zealand with the British & Irish Lions last summer.
The centre Robbie Henshaw is a long-term absentee after injuring his shoulder in the last round against Italy and the flanker Sean O’Brien has yet to appear in this year’s tournament after having hip surgery.
At the start of the week Schmidt had hoped the second-row Iain Henderson and the prop Tadhg Furlong would recover from hamstring injuries sustained during the romp against Italy but they ran out of time.
Backs
R Kearney (Leinster), K Earls, C Farrell (both Munster), B Aki (Connacht), J Stockdale (Ulster), J Sexton (Leinster), C Murray (Munster), C Healy (Leinster),
R Best (Ulster, capt), A Porter, James Ryan, D Toner (all Leinster), P O'Mahony (Munster), D Leavy (Leinster), CJ Stander (Munster).
Replacements: S Cronin, J McGrath (both Leinster), John Ryan (Munster), Q Roux (Connacht), J Conan (Leinster), K Marmion (Connacht), J Carbery, F McFadden (both Leinster).
Furlong’s absence means a first Six Nations start for the 21-year-old Leinster prop Andrew Porter, who converted to tighthead last season, while another 21-year old, James Ryan, takes over in the second row from Henderson, having impressed in the victory against France in Paris.
“Iain was closer to playing than Tadhg and could probably have done so but we were not prepared to chance him,” Schmidt said. “It is not worth it with what is coming up and you do not want to put a player at risk of further injury. We thought on Tuesday Tadhg would make it but his progress stalled and we want to get him right for Scotland in a couple of weeks.
“Andrew Porter did a sterling job against Italy [coming on after three minutes]. I know it is not the same level and Rob Evans [the Wales loose-head] is a tricky customer with his angles and stepping around, but they have got to learn somewhere. This is an opportunity for him.”
Chris Farrell replaces Henshaw in the centre for his first Six Nations start on a day when Wales welcome back three of their summer Lions, Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams and Dan Biggar.
Schmidt said: “It is not ideal and you do not suddenly replace three world-class players but we focus on what we have, exciting young players like the three who have come in. Chris has been a long-term project and he did well against Argentina in November.”
He made two other changes to the side who defeated Italy 56-19. Cian Healy replaces Jack McGrath at loosehead while C J Stander resumes at No 8 in place of Jack Conan. No side have won more times than Wales against Ireland in Dublin in the Six Nations (three) and the last time Schmidt’s side tasted defeat was in Cardiff 11 months ago.
“Matches against Wales tend to be close,” Schmidt said. “The margins are fine. Wales will vary their game, driving mauls, putting the ball in the air a lot and playing with width. We have got to make sure we are ready for whatever they throw at us and not give them too many access points to play. Biggar coming back gives them a 60-cap veteran with a real understanding of the game.
“We have a plan and the players will work hard to put it in place. The fine margins will determine the result. Wales drew here two years ago after we led 13-3 and we had a number of players missing then. The circumstance is similar now and we have to show the strength of our squad. You have to be confident of getting the result.”
Wales have had their injury problems but in one way that has worked to their advantage by exposing players who would otherwise not have been involved. “I feel our squad is stronger than it has ever been,” said the defence coach, Shaun Edwards.
