Uncapped Ireland duo Josh van der Flier and Stuart McCloskey are set to make their debuts in Saturday’s clash with England.
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After impressing for Ulster Stuart McCloskey gets his start against England.
The main talking point all week was the availability of Jared Payne, who didn’t train on Tuesday as a result of a hamstring injury, and has failed to prove his fitness in time for Saturday.
Van der Flier has been handed the number seven jersey left vacant by Sean O’Brien, who has been ruled out of the rest of the tournament through injury.
Van der Flier only made his Leinster debut in March previous year, but now Ireland hope he can take his impressive provincial form on to the worldwide stage.
Keith Earls returns to join Andrew Trimble and Rob Kearney in the back three. Replacements: R Strauss (Leinster), C Healy (Leinster), N White (Connacht), U Dillane (Connacht), R Ruddock (Leinster), E Reddan (Leinster), I Madigan (Leinster), S Zebo (Munster). New coach Eddie Jones has chalked up a 100% winning record after beating Scotland 15-9 at Murrayfield and Italy 40-9 in Rome, but Ireland will provide his sternest test yet.
“The bottom line is we have confidence in Stu and Robbie (Henshaw) in there”. “The like of Josh and Stuart and Ultan, they can be wearing an Ireland shirt for maybe 10 or 12 years now, if they really put their hand up and grab it, and that’s their opportunity”.
“We can’t wait to run out there at Twickenham”, said Hunter, whose side got the better of Ireland 8-3 in November.
“You can tell with these players, when Conor Murray first came into the Ireland squad you could just tell there was something about him, and it’s the same with Josh”.
Mike Ross is not surprised by his meteoric rise up the ranks from squad player with Leinster, to starter with Ireland. Devin Toner, 6. CJ Stander, 7.
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Best admitted Van der Flier’s focus and commitment have quickly marked him out as a “quality player”.
