Simon Easterby makes two changes to Ireland team for Scotland trip

Cian Healy is set to become Ireland's most capped player in the Guinness Men's Six Nations

Cian Healy at Ireland Rugby Squad Training. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

Peter O’Mahony and Robbie Henshaw return to the Ireland team for Sunday’s Guinness Six Nations clash with Scotland in Edinburgh with Finlay Bealham and Mack Hansen both passing fit to keep their places.

Interim head coach Simon Easterby announced his side for the round-two trip to Edinburgh before his squad flew to the Scottish capital on Friday with both tighthead prop Bealham and right wing Hansen overcoming the knocks they sustained in the opening-round 27-22 bonus-point victory England in Dublin last Saturday.

Bealham has recovered from the ankle problem which forced him off in the second half at Aviva Stadium while Hansen sustained a cut to his knee which required a blood substitution in the opening period but has successfully come through the training week to retain the number 14 jersey.

The returns of O’Mahony and Henshaw see the men they replace at blindside flanker and outside centre respectively, Ryan Baird and Garry Ringrose, drop to the bench. O’Mahony had been omitted from the matchday 23 for the England clash but will earn his 111th Ireland cap as a starter in a back row alongside Josh van der Flier and captain Caelan Doris.

Henshaw was part of an effective bench effort last Saturday and has been rewarded with the number 13 jersey alongside Bundee Aki with the team otherwise unchanged from the first round as Ireland bid to keep their bid for a historic Six Nations three-peat alive against a Scotland team which beat Italy with a bonus point on home soil in their opening fixture.

Barid’s move to the bench sees lock Ian Henderson drop out of the matchday squad and the replacement selection will also mean veteran loosehead prop Cian Healy could become Ireland's most capped player in the Men's Six Nations if called upon, for his 66th championship appearance, surpassing Brian O'Driscoll. Healy passed out the legendary centre for the all-time Ireland caps record against Australia on November 30 when he made his 134th appearance.

Scotland boss Gregor Townsend is set to name his side later on Friday as he attempts to find the right selection to claim his first victory over Ireland as head coach and end his nation’s 10-Test losing streak against them.

IRELAND: H Keenan (Leinster); M Hansen (Connacht), R Henshaw (Leinster), B Aki (Connacht), J Lowe (Leinster); S Prendergast (Leinster), J Gibson-Park (Leinster); A Porter (Leinster), R Kelleher (Leinster), F Bealham (Connacht); J Ryan (Leinster), T Beirne (Munster); P O’Mahony (Munster), J van der Flier (Leinster), C Doris – captain (Leinster).

Replacements: D Sheehan (Leinster), C Healy (Leinster), T Clarkson (Leinster), R Baird (Leinster), J Conan (Leinster), C Murray (Munster), J Crowley (Munster), G Ringrose (Leinster).