Devin’s chance to set tone for Triple Crown triumph

Ireland lock Iain Henderson misses tomorrow’s Guinness Six Nations clash with England due to family reasons.

Devin Toner will take the number four shirt from Henderson for the match at Twickenham and win his 70th cap.

Ireland can clinch the Triple Crown with victory in south-west London following successive home victories over Scotland and Wales.

Ulster captain Henderson, who has made 55 international appearances, started each of those matches at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, while Toner twice came off the bench.

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell had initially named an unchanged starting XV for the meeting with Eddie Jones’ side.

Connacht lock Ultan Dillane will take Toner’s place among the replacements.

Lock Henderson will miss the trip to London following the birth of his son, meaning a first start since his shock

World Cup omission for Toner. Sexton is pleased to have Leinster team-mate Toner involved again from the start.

“It’s brilliant for him, he’s bounced back really well. Obviously everyone has setbacks through their career and he had a big one at a bad time for him, but he has bounced back well,” said Sexton.

“You saw by the reception that he got against Scotland. I’ve never heard a crowd cheer so loud for a line-out win.

“We were giving him a bit of stick about it, but it just shows what everyone thinks of him. All the lads are delighted for him.”

Scrum coach John Fogarty said Ireland had time to prepare for Henderson’s absence.

Fogarty said: “They spoke a bit last night and this morning and it became clear this morning. We had planned during the week, in the eventuality that it would happen, that Dev is there.