Luke Fitzgerald and Cian Healy to start for Ireland against Scotland

Luke Fitzgerald will make his first Test start in four years when Ireland take on Scotland in the Six Nations at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Fitzgerald, who has battled chronic groin problems in the last two years, will replace Simon Zebo on the wing as Ireland go in search of an emphatic victory to put the pressure on title rivals England.

Munster’s Zebo has started the last 10 Tests but he struggled under the high ball against Wales and Fitzgerald steps in after impressing with a string of fine performances for Leinster.

British and Irish Lions prop Cian Healy also comes in for Jack McGrath as coach Joe Schmidt makes two changes to the side that lost 23-16 in Wales last weekend.

Fit-again Healy has been itching for a start after recovering from a nasty hamstring tear in September that ruled him out of the autumn Test series.

Hooker Rory Best will move clear as Ireland's eighth-most capped player of all time as he is set to make his 83rd appearance in Edinburgh.

Jamie Heaslip, meanwhile, is poised to equal David Wallace's record as Ireland's most-capped back-row forward of all time, in his 72nd Test.

Paul O'Connell will set a new outright record as Ireland's oldest captain at 35 years and 152 days, overtaking Mick Galwey's record that he equalled at the Millennium Stadium.

Ireland can still retain their Six Nations title despite blowing their Grand Slam chances in Cardiff, but they will have to better the points-difference tallies of Wales and England.

Schmidt has backed Fitzgerald to shine on his return to the side.

He said: "He will bring a real freshness, he's been champing at the bit for a while. He's been close in the last few weeks and Simon's performances have made it difficult for us to include him.

"It has been a very long road back for Luke but he has an exuberance and positivity that make it difficult to keep Luke down for long periods.

"Obviously injury forced him away for long periods, but he's very keen to make it back. That resilience is something we'll need.

"Simon's got a few niggles, and so we just wanted to have someone who was at 100 per cent, as opposed to someone who has fitted in really well but was just starting to show signs of wear and tear." 

Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Jared Payne, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Luke Fitzgerald, 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Conor Murray; 1 Cian Healy, 2 Rory Best, 3 Mike Ross, 4 Devin Toner, 5 Paul O'Connell (c), 6 Peter O'Mahony, 7 Sean O'Brien, 8 Jamie Heaslip.

Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Martin Moore, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Jordi Murphy, 21 Eoin Reddan, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Felix Jones.