Ringrose keeps place for Ireland

Leinster centre Garry Ringrose held onto the number 13 jersey as Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt named an unchanged team on Wednesday for Friday’s Six Nations showdown with Wales.

With Jared Payne sidelined by heavy bruising sustained in Ulster’s win over Treviso last Friday, Ringrose will resume his midfield partnership with club-mate Robbie Henshaw in Cardiff. Payne has been recalled to Ireland’s squad for their final two matches after overcoming a kidney problem, but there was no place for the New Zealand-born in the matchday 23. —