Number eight Jamie Heaslip is the only new face in the Ireland rugby team for the pivotal Six Nations showdown with Wales at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium on Saturday.
The British and Irish Lion has recovered from the three cracked vertebrae suffered during Ireland’s 18-11 defeat of France on Valentine’s Day and replaces Jordi Murphy, who deputised in the 19-9 win over England.
Heaslip has made a speedy recovery after being kneed in the back by France lock Pascal Pape, who was punished with a 10-week ban.
“I don’t personally listen to outside sources. I listen to our trusted medical team and they gave me some very good guidance,” Heaslip said.
“I live in a little bubble of day-to-day, week-to-week, so it makes life easy for me not to look too far down the line.”
Ireland will be on the brink of a second Grand Slam in seven years if they overcome Wales, having also seen off Italy 26-3 in their opening match.
Fly-half Jonathan Sexton has shaken off a hamstring problem to take his place in Joe Schmidt’s starting line-up, while Jared Payne and Sean O’Brien have both overcome concussion scares.
Skipper Paul O’Connell is due to win his 100th Ireland cap and also stands to equal Mick Galwey’s record as the country’s oldest Test captain at the age of exactly 35 years and 145 days.
Sexton and prop Cian Healy, meanwhile, are in line to make their 50th international appearances, but Healy starts on the bench, with his Leinster team-mate Jack McGrath holding onto the starting loosehead berth.
Ireland are chasing a record 11th consecutive Test victory and could retain their Six Nations title this weekend if results go their way.
If the Irish win and England lose against Scotland at Twickenham, Schmidt’s men would be assured of glory with a round of matches still to come.
Ireland (15-1)
Rob Kearney; Tommy Bowe, Jared Payne, Robbie Henshaw, Simon Zebo; Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray; Jamie Heaslip, Sean O’Brien, Peter O’Mahony; Paul O’Connell (capt), Devin Toner; Mike Ross, Rory Best, Jack McGrath
Replacements: Sean Cronin, Cian Healy, Martin Moore, Iain Henderson, Jordi Murphy, Eoin Reddan, Ian Madigan, Felix Jones
