Three Irish players will make their Six Nations debut in the opening day clash with France, in Paris, on Saturday.
James Ryan, Bundee Aki and Jacob Stockdale all come into Schmidt's starting 15 - with Fergus McFadden returning to the squad on the bench.
Iain Henderson comes in at second row, with Devin Toner dropping to the bench and Josh van der Flier holds off the challenge of Dan Leavy and Jordi Murphy for the number seven jersey.
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Ireland squad to face France:
R Kearney; K Earls, R Henshaw, B Aki, J Stockdale; J Sexton, C Murray; C Healy, R Best (capt), T Furlong, I Henderson, James Ryan, P O’Mahony, J van der Flier, CJ Stander.
Replacements: S Cronin, J McGrath, John Ryan, D Toner, D Leavy; L McGrath, J Carbery, F McFadden.
