Luke Fitzgerald and Cian Healy the only changes for Ireland

Almost the greatest rugby player Ireland never really had, Luke Fitzgerald replaces Simon Zebo in the team to face Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.

The only other change for this final Six Nations game sees Cian Healy and Jack McGrath swapping jerseys.

A genuine child prodigy, Fitzgerald has been cursed by injury – a career threatening neck problem sandwiched between knee surgeries before rare hip and abductor problems – all the way back to 2011.

The 27-year-old, who has never played at a World Cup, will win just his 28th Irish cap at Murrayfield.

Jamie Heaslip, who also made his debut against the Pacific Islands in November 2006, wins his 71st in Edinburgh.

Fitzgerald's last start for Ireland was against France in a World Cup warm-up in Bordeaux in 2011. Before that he struggled through a best forgotten Six Nations campaign at fullback.

There was a time when the former Blackrock College sensation, signed straight out of school by Leinster on a on full contract to stave off Munster interest, was the obvious heir to Brian O'Driscoll's number 13 jersey.

Recently he has shone in that position for Leinster, having finally shook off the abductor problem, but the Ireland coach opted to run Keith Earls at centre against the England Saxons in January. Fitzgerald was named on the left wing for that match, but pulled out through illness, while Jared Payne and Robbie Henshaw have seemingly cemented a new midfield partnership.

Schmidt sees him as a left wing and little else at the moment.

“It has been a very long road back for Luke after a number of injuries but he has an exuberance and positivity that make it difficult to keep him down for long periods.

“Obviously injury forced him to be away from the pitch. That resilience is something we’ll need.

“I think Scotland have named a really good side. I think there is a bit of desperation on both teams which will make for a really combative Test match.”

Simon Zebo, who Schmidt felt needed a rest, drops out of the 23-man squad but will still travel to Edinburgh.

“Simon has started the last nine Test matches for us, played throughout the Six Nations. He is showing a few signs of wear and tear, a few niggles. We just wanted someone who was at one hundred per cent.”

Plain and simple, Zebo has been dropped.

“I don’t think a player ever feels that they need a rest,” said Schmidt. “Players want to keep going. They want to be there.

“There is a bit of disappointment and at the same time probably a little sense of relief as he has been showing those signs of wear and tear.”

Healy, finally, tears the number one jersey off the back of his Leinster understudy. His impact has been unmissable off the bench, despite a costly knock on and being turned over when reaching his half century of caps in Cardiff.

“Jack was disappointed as he feels he has contributed really well. I can’t dispute that. It’s a role reversal. We’re lucky to have two effective loosehead props who offer real value around the pitch.”

IRELAND: R Kearney; T Bowe, J Payne, R Henshaw, L Fitzgerald; J Sexton, C Murray; C Healy, R Best, M Ross; D Toner, P O'Connell (capt); P O'Mahony, S O'Brien, J Heaslip.

Replacements: J McGrath, S Cronin, M Moore, I Henderson, J Murphy, E Reddan, I Madigan, F Jones.