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Ireland make one change for slam decider

Second-rower forward Iain Henderson has dislodged Devin Toner to start in Ireland's Six Nations showdown against England at Twickenham.

Ireland's Ireland's Iain Henderson.
Second-rower Iain Henderson has been recalled for Ireland's Six Nations clash with England. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has made one change for their Six Nations finale against England as they bid for just their third grand slam in over 100 years.

Ireland last week have already clinched their third title in five years - all under New Zealander Schmidt - and travel to Twickenham on Saturday hoping to complete a clean sweep only previously achieved in 1948 and 2009.

British and Irish Lions lock Iain Henderson comes back into the side with Devon Toner dropping to the bench in a switch Schmidt said was somewhat planned ahead of last week's 28-8 victory over Scotland.

Fullback Rob Kearney, the only survivor from the side that ended Ireland's 61-year wait for a second grand slam in 2009, was passed fit alongside flanker Peter O'Mahony after the pair sat out training on Wednesday.

"There's a sense of anticipation, there's a sense of nervousness. I think the magnitude of what it's going to take to get us over the line is very much uppermost in the thinking," Schmidt said.

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Ireland spoiled England's grand slam bid at the same stage last year, ending a disappointing championship with a 13-9 win that began a record Irish run of 11 consecutive victories.

Schmidt said his free-scoring side did not care how win number 12 is achieved on Saturday.

"We haven't talked about how we might feel afterwards or what it means, because you almost don't dare. You don't dare to dream about what it might mean," Schmidt said.

"I don't think any of the team would care if it was 3-0 because we know what's at stake and what's at stake is not just a fantastic opportunity to achieve a grand slam but to go a year unbeaten. We wouldn't have dreamed of that this time last year."

Ireland team: Rob Kearney, Keith Earls, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale, Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray; CJ Stander, Dan Leavy, Peter O'Mahony, Iain Henderson, James Ryan, Tadhg Furlong, Rory Best (captain), Cian Healy.

Replacements: Sean Cronin, Jack McGrath, Andrew Porter, Devin Toner, Jordi Murphy, Kieran Marmion, Joey Carbery, Jordan Larmour.


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