But while Howley kept faith with his whole matchday 23 that lost to Scotland at Murrayfield, Schmidt has been forced to make one change among his replacements. Andrew Trimble is ruled out with a hand injury and will miss the rest of the tournament, allowing team mate Tommy Bowe to return.
Schmidt’s side have recovered after their opening round defeat to the Scots in Edinburgh to beat Italy and France. Wales are looking to end a run of two successive defeats to England and Scotland.
Jared Payne had been recalled to the Irish squad but with the versatile Kiwi back suffering heavy bruising from Ulster’s clash against Treviso, he failed to make the match-day squad.
“Robbie [Henshaw] and Gary [Ringrose] I think had a really good relationship and were building on that,” said Schmidt. “So sometimes selection might be swayed because of the cohesion of the combination.
“Jared’s experience — potentially even off the bench — would have been handy, because he plays full-back and has played wing, as well as the midfield.
“There are things where he has contributed hugely in the past, but you’ve got to keep your rhythm in this competition. We’ve got combinations we do feel are improving and we want to give them the opportunity.”
IRELAND
15. Rob Kearney (Leinster)
14. Keith Earls (Munster)
13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster)
12. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster)
11. Simon Zebo (Munster)
10. Jonathan Sexton (Leinster)
9. Conor Murray (Munster)
1. Jack McGrath (Leinster)
2. Rory Best (Ulster) Captain
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster)
4. Donnacha Ryan (Munster)
5. Devin Toner (Leinster)
6. CJ Stander (Munster)
7. Sean O’Brien (Leinster)
8. Jamie Heaslip (Leinster)
Replacements
16. Niall Scannell (Munster)
17. Cian Healy (Leinster)
18. John Ryan (Munster)
19. Iain Henderson (Ulster)
20. Peter O’Mahony (Munster)
21. Kieran Marmion (Connacht)
22. Paddy Jackson (Ulster)
23. Tommy Bowe (Ulster)
