Payne and Carbery return for Ireland

Ulster centre Payne has not played since sustaining a kidney injury during the 27-24 win over Australia last November.

Leinster flyhalf Carbery made his first three appearances for Ireland in the November Tests, but subsequently injured his ankle.

Carbery's Leinster back row teammate Jack Conan also returned, along with Munster prop Dave Kilcoyne.

Rob Kearney keeps his place despite sustaining a groin injury during last month's win over France, but Ulster's Tommy Bowe misses out.

Ireland are currently second in the Six Nations table, three points below leaders England.

Joe Schmidt's side tackle Wales in Cardiff on March 10, before hosting England in Dublin in their final game on March 18.

Ireland squad:

Forwards: Rory Best (Ulster, captain), Jack Conan (Leinster), Ultan Dillane (Connacht), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Iain Henderson (Ulster), Dave Kilcoyne (Munster), Dan Leavy (Leinster), Jack McGrath (Leinster), Sean O'Brien (Leinster), Tommy O'Donnell (Munster), Peter O'Mahony (Munster), Quinn Roux (Connacht), Donnacha Ryan (Munster), John Ryan (Munster), Niall Scannell (Munster), CJ Stander (Munster), Devin Toner (Leinster), James Tracy (Leinster).

Backs: Joey Carbery (Leinster), Andrew Conway (Munster), Keith Earls (Munster), Craig Gilroy (Ulster), Robbie Henshaw (Leinster), Paddy Jackson (Ulster), Rob Kearney (Leinster), Kieran Marmion (Connacht), Luke Marshall (Ulster), Luke McGrath (Leinster), Conor Murray (Munster), Tiernan O'Halloran (Connacht), Jared Payne (Ulster), Garry Ringrose (Leinster), Jonathan Sexton (Leinster), Andrew Trimble (Ulster), Simon Zebo (Munster).

Agence France-Presse