Irish coach shuffles pack for Murrayfield clash

ROB Kea r ney w i l l r et u r n at full-back for Ireland’s Guinness Six Nations trip to Scotland, with Chris Farrell parachuted into the centres.

Munster powerhouse Farrell will partner Bundee Aki in midfield, with Robbie Henshaw dropping out of Ireland’s match squad due to a dead leg.

British and Irish Lions centre Henshaw struggled positionally when shifted to full-back in last weekend’s 32-20 home loss to England.

Stalwart full-back Kearney has been restored to the No 15 shirt for tomorrow’s Murrayfield encounter, with 32-year-old Henshaw still easing back to full sharpness after a thigh injury.

“Robbie has a dead leg and just hasn’t recovered in time,” said Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt.

“It’s just a bit of aggravation after having a knock. It’s a knock on top of a knock.

“It does make it difficult – the problem is he maybe could have played, but if you get another bump on it, it debilitates you quickly. And then you have to make another change.”

When asked if Kearney would have returned at full-back even had Henshaw been fit, Schmidt added: “Probably once Garry Ringrose was ruled out it was going to be trying to keep a little continuity as best we can and get as cohesive as we can in a short space of time.”

Potent Munster midfielder Farrell has struggled with a series of knee injuries since his last Test appearance – a Man-of-the-Match showing in Ireland’s 37-27 Six Nations victory over Wales in February 2018.