Thursday 9 March 2017 08:00, UK
Joe Schmidt has named an unchanged starting XV for Ireland's Six Nations trip to Wales with Garry Ringrose retained at outside centre.
Ringrose holds onto the No 13 shirt despite Jared Payne's return from injury, with the Ulsterman not even named in the match-day squad.
"Robbie and Gary I think had a really good relationship and were building on that," said Ireland head coach Schmidt.
"So sometimes selection might be swayed because of the cohesion of the combination.
"Jared's experience - potentially even off the bench - would have been handy, because he plays full-back and has played wing, as well as the midfield.
"There are things where he has contributed hugely in the past, but you've got to keep your rhythm in this competition.
"We've got combinations we do feel are improving and we want to give them the opportunity."
Rob Kearney continues at full-back after recovering from a groin injury while Johnny Sexton starts back-to-back Tests for the first time since last year's Six Nations.
The only change to the team that defeated France comes on the bench where Tommy Bowe replaces injured Ulster team-mate Andrew Trimble.
Ireland have not beaten Wales in the Six Nations since 2014 and lost 23-16 in Cardiff in 2015.
Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Keith Earls, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Conor Murray; 1 Jack McGrath, 2 Rory Best (c), 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Donnacha Ryan, 5 Devin Toner, 6 CJ Stander, 7 Sean O'Brien, 8 Jamie Heaslip.
Replacements: 16 Niall Scannell, 17 Cian Healy, 18 John Ryan, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Peter O'Mahony, 21 Kieran Marmion, 22 Paddy Jackson, 23 Tommy Bowe.
