Schmidt changes 12 but still no Henshaw for Ireland

Surprised to learn Ireland had set a new record for the World Cup’s oldest starting XV, Schmidt joked that 34-year-old scrum-half Eoin Reddan may have skewed the stats.

“During the World Cup camps over in Ireland and over here, he’s been doing his bit of passing and box-kicking and just chatting around the hotel to me and Eoin about things”, said Murray.

There does not seem to be too much leeway for Tommy Bowe or Devin Toner to break back into the first fifteen based on the form of Dave Kearney, Earls and Iain Henderson.

Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Paul O’Connell, 20 Sean O’Brien, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Paddy Jackson, 23 Rob Kearney. Ross has been one of the most consistently-selected players over the last few years for Ireland and with injury ruling Marty Moore out of this World Cup, there are doubts over whether or not Ross’ replacements can survive in the scrums against bigger teams.

Healy was seriously gassed after his 30 minute cameo against Canada. “They’re fit to play and fit to be selected, but today was the first full training that they took part in”.

“For us, it’s probably given us a really good indication of where they’re going to go hard”.

Devin Toner is back in the second row alongside Donnacha Ryan.

Having seen Japan exceed expectations, 30-year-old Sexton is content with Ireland’s efforts in avoiding a potential slip-up against Canada following two defeats against Wales and England.

The 37-year-old is a formidable figure on the pitch, an uncompromising enforcer whose athletic prowess and unbelievable durability have over the last 10 seasons made him a key part of one of the best teams in Europe, Clermont.

Versatile playmaker Ian Madigan will start at fly-half, but Schmidt admitted the Leinster pivot could move to scrum-half during the course of the match.

Centre Henshaw, who formed a strong midfield partnership with Jared Payne during this year’s Six Nations campaign, has been Ireland’s only injury concern, with a tight hamstring, but will be ready for Italy on October 5.

Jamie Heaslip is at 8 once again, with Jordi Murphy and Chris Henry at openside and blindside respectively. Jared Payne. Darren Cave.

Romania coach Lynn Howells, meanwhile, has named their most experienced ever side despite making eight changes to the team that lost to France on Wednesday after losing flanker Valentin Ursache to suspension for a unsafe tackle.