Toner left out of team to face England
Devin Toner has been sensationally dropped from the starting Irish team for Saturday's Six Nations game with England at the Aviva Stadium, 5pm ending a long stint as a first-choice lock.
Toner is instead included in the list of replacements named by coach Schmidt for the eagerly-awaited showdown with the English who are seeking to achieve their second Grand Slam in two years.
Instead of Toner the Irish second-row will be made up of Iain Henderson and Donnacha Ryan.
The Irish line-out struggled in Cardiff the weekend before last with the Welsh managing to execute a number of line-out steals.
Two of those 'steals' were achieved by the Welsh before Toner was replaced in the second-half but clearly coach Schmidt felt something had to be done to steady the line out.
Toner was outstanding in helping Ireland achieve victories over South Africa, Australia and New Zealand last year.
It is almost certain the big Moynalvey man will make an appearance against England on Saturday particularly if Ireland are struggling to deal with the English line-out or are malfunctioning themselves.
There are two changes in the Irish backline for Saturday's test with Jared Payne coming in for Rob Kearney who has been ruled out with a knee injury and Kieran Marmion starting in place of Conor Murray who has not fully recovered from the injury he sustained in the match against Wales.
The rest of the backline remains unchanged with Jonathan Sexton at out-half and Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose continuing their centre partnership. Keith Earls and Simon Zebo complete the back three.
The back-row remains unchanged with CJ Stander and Sean O'Brien either side of Jamie Heaslip.
Luke McGrath comes onto the bench to cover Marmion while Andrew Conway is also included in the twenty-three.
Niall Scannell, Cian Healy, John Ryan, Devin Toner Peter O'Mahony and Paddy Jackson complete the replacements.
IRELAND - Jared Payne (Ulster) 19, Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster) 58, Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster) 7, Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster) 28, Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster) 32, Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary's College/Leinster) 65, Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht) 11; Jack McGrath (St. Mary's College/Leinster) 40, Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) (capt) 103, Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster) 15, Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster) 46, Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 31, CJ Stander (Shannon/Munster) 14, Sean O'Brien (UCD/Leinster) 48, Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster) (vice-capt) 95.
Replacements: Niall Scannell (Dolphin/Munster) 3, Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) 66, John Ryan (Cork Constitution/Munster) 5, Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster) 46, Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster) 39, Luke McGrath (UCD/Leinster) 1, Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster) 23, Andrew Conway (Garryowen/Munster).