England forwards coach Matt Proudfoot says they're expecting Peter O'Mahony to return to the Ireland starting XV this Saturday.
The Munster captain is available to head-coach Andy Farrell after serving a three-game ban following his dismissal against Wales in their Six Nations opener.
Ireland are planning without James Ryan for Saturday's game at the Aviva and Proudfoot says the England coaching team are preparing for a reshuffle which will see O'Mahony restored to the pack.
“Losing any player like James Ryan is a massive but they have Peter O’Mahony back so it’s a little bit of like for like. Tadhg Beirne might shift into the second row and Peter O’Mahony might slip onto the side of the scrum.
"He is similar to Beirne – a pretty high work rate, great defensive players, very good in the line-out, a line-out contesting player, intelligent, leadership.
“There’s a lot there to admire in what the Munster captain brings to the Irish team.
“I think it’s like for like but losing a player like that is never easy to replace. He was superb against Scotland, he really picked their line-out to pieces. It’s a big loss but they’ll take it in their stride.”
Proudfoot added that he expects Ireland to be extra motivated to give CJ Stander a good send off on his last game in green.
“He’s been a talisman for their pack and team for a long, long time. He plays with his heart on his sleeve. He’s a tough, tough competitor, tough man. I’m sure they’ll want to close his chapter on the right note.
“We can expect a highly-motivated Irish team really looking to come at us. We need to confront that and get ourselves on the front foot.”
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