Andy Farrell has named the team he hopes will carry Ireland to a fourth ever Grand Slam against England this Saturday.
Ireland are on the brink of Six Nations glory once again, and Farrell has named a strong team despite notable injury absentees.
Robbie Henshaw returns to the starting XV after an injury lay-off, partnering Bundee Aki in the centre. Having impressed early in the Six Nations, Stuart McCloskey will be disappointed to have missed out on the 23, with Jimmy O'Brien providing cover off the bench.
Dan Sheehan has sufficiently recovered from injury to start at hooker, while Ryan Baird wins out against Kieran Treadwell in the battle to replace the injured Iain Henderson.
Conor Murray has dropped out of the starting XV, replaced by the returning Jamison Gibson-Park.
Ireland v England in a Grand Slam decider on St. Patrick's weekend in Dublin. It doesn't get much bigger than that. Saturday's headline game gets underway at 5pm, and the game will be broadcast on Virgin Media in Ireland. The game will also be broadcast on ITV.
Ireland team named for date with destiny v England
Our line up for Super Saturday at the Aviva! 💪#TeamOfUs | #GuinnessSixNations
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) March 16, 2023
Ireland XV to play England
15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster)
14. Mack Hansen (Connacht)
13. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster)
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht)
11. James Lowe (Leinster)
10. Johnny Sexton (Leinster)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)
1. Andrew Porter (Leinster)
2. Dan Sheehan (Leinster)
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster)
4. Ryan Baird (Leinster)
5. James Ryan (Leinster)
6. Peter O'Mahony (Munster)
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster)
8. Caelan Doris (Leinster)
Ireland replacements to play England
16. Rob Herring (Ulster), 17. Cian Healy (Leinster), 18. Tom O'Toole (Ulster), 19. Kieran Treadwell (Ulster), 20. Jack Conan (Leinster), 21. Conor Murray (Munster), 22. Ross Byrne (Leinster), 23. Jimmy O'Brien (Leinster)
We are still awaiting confirmation of the England team for Saturday's game v Ireland, but all expectations are that captain Owen Farrell will return to the starting XV, after a dismal team display at home against France last week.
SEE ALSO: How Ireland Lost The Red Carpet And The 2003 Grand Slam, As Told By The Players Themselves
