Ross Byrne starts at out-half in Ireland team to face England

Keith Earls has been named for his first Ireland start under Andy Farrell

Ross Byrne at Ireland training. Picture: INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Andy Farrell sprang some surprises on Wednesday as he revealed his team to face England at Twickenham on Saturday, preferring Quinn Roux and Jamison Gibson-Park over more experienced rivals on the back of strong performances last week.

Both lock Roux and scrum-half Gibson-Park, who was making his first start last Friday, have been retained from the Autumn Nations Cup opening win over Wales, ahead of Iain Henderson and Conor Murray, both of whom had been expected to make their returns to the starting line-up.