DUBLIN – Iain Henderson has replaced Devin Toner in the only change to the Ireland team announced Thursday for their Grand Slam bid against England at Twickenham.
The second row switch was the only alteration made by coach Joe Schmidt to the starting XV that beat Scotland 28-8 to secure Ireland's third Six Nations title in five years.
Meanwhile Peter O'Mahony, Rob Kearney and Cian Healy have all shaken off injury problems to be fit for Saturday's St Patrick's Day clash.
Fullback Kearney and flanker O'Mahony missed training on Tuesday but have since passed fitness tests.
Prop forward Healy looked unsteady on his feet against Scotland but Ireland were adamant he had suffered a “stinger” rather than a more severe head injury.
Ireland have been accused of playing “boring” rugby this season, amid suggestions players daren't depart from Schmidt's carefully crated plan.
Former Leinster and Scotland coach Matt Williams, now an Irish television rugby analyst, has been among Ireland's leading critics even though the team are now just one win away from a Grand Slam to set alongside their Championship clean sweeps of 1948 and 2009.
“We don't want to be described as boring, but I don't think any of the team would care if it was 3-0 (to Ireland on Saturday),” said Schmidt.
“I don't think we would be uninspired by a 3-0 victory, because we know what's at stake, “ added the New Zealander.
“And what's at stake is a fantastic opportunity not just to achieve a Grand Slam, but to go a year unbeaten. We wouldn't have dreamed of that this time last year.”
Ireland plays England in a Six Nations international at Twickenham on Saturday (1445 GMT kick-off).
Ireland (15-1)
Rob Kearney; Keith Earls, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale; Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray; CJ Stander, Dan Leavy, Peter O'Mahony; Iain Henderson, James Ryan; Tadhg Furlong, Rory Best (capt), Cian Healy
Replacements: Sean Cronin, Jack McGrath, Andrew Porter, Devin Toner, Jordi Murphy, Kieran Marmion, Joey Carbery, Jordan Larmour