Easterby hands Prendergast out-half reins for Six Nations opener

Ireland welcome England to Dublin on Saturday in their tournament opener. 

Sam Prendergast of Ireland, right, comes on as a substitute for teammate Jack Crowley during the Autumn Nations Series match between Ireland and Argentina. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Sam Prendergast will make his Guinness Six Nations debut against England on Saturday after retaining his place in the starting line-up at out-half but interim head coach Simon Easterby has made two significant changes in his first XV, selecting Ryan Baird in the back row and dropping lock Joe McCarthy from the matchday squad.

Easterby, moving up from defence coach to stand in for Andy Farrell, now on secondment to the British & Irish Lions, has also made a tweak to his midfield from the side which started last time out against Australia in November, naming Garry Ringrose at outside centre as Robbie Henshaw swaps places with his Leinster teammate as the outside backs replacement.