Joe Schmidt has selected three game-changers in his team to face England on Saturday.
The majority of Schmidt’s selections met with resounding approval, today, with most Irish fans happy with their lot.
Of the quintet of uncapped players that have train under Schmidt at Carton House – the others are Ultan Dillane and Finlay Bealham – three have stated resounding cases for selection.
CJ Stander continues at blindside after an impressive start and Stuart McCloskey will partner Robbie Henshaw in the Irish midfield. Josh van der Flier’s selection was somewhat of a surprise but he has already proved, in this season’s Champions Cup, that he was mix it with highly physical outfits.
Heading into a make-or-break game for Ireland, there are three empathic reasons why Schmidt made his calls.
CJ Stander = Turnovers
Stuart McCloskey = Line-breaker
Josh van der Flier = Tackling machine
*Updated from piece first posted on January 21
