Rare start for Ireland's Fitzgerald

 

Fitzgerald replaces Simon Zebo on the left wing for his first Irish start since the 2011 Championship finale.

 

Meanwhile, Cian Healy comes in for Jack McGrath at loosehead prop. 

 

Captain Paul O'Connell continues his second row partnership with Devin Toner with Healy's inclusion the only change to the tight-five as both Mike Ross and Rory Best are retained.

 

The back row is unchanged with No.8 Jamie Heaslip flanked by Peter O'Mahony and Sean O'Brien.

 

Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton are paired at halfback and the combination of Robbie Henshaw and Jared Payne link up for the sixth time in midfield. 

 

Fitzgerald joins Rob Kearney and Tommy Bowe in the back three.

 

McGrath takes a spot among the replacements which include: Sean Cronin, Martin Moore, Jack McGrath, Iain Henderson, Eoin Reddan, Ian Madigan and Felix Jones. 

 

Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Jared Payne, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Luke Fitzgerald, 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Peter O'Mahony, 5 Paul O'Connell (captain), 4 Devin Toner, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best, 1 Cian Healy.

Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Martin Moore, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Jordi Murphy, 21 Eoin Reddan, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Felix Jones.

 

Date: Saturday, March 21

Venue: Murrayfield, Edinburgh

Kick-off: 14.30 (14.30 GMT)

Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)

Assistant referees: Pascal Gauzère (France), Federico Anselmi (Argentina)

TMO: Graham Hughes (England)