Robbie Henshaw has been named at full-back for Ireland's Six Nations opener against England.
The 25-year-old last played in the position in his 2013 international debut against the USA, and has been given the nod ahead of Rob Kearney.
Henshaw is one of just two changes to the team which recorded that famous win over New Zealand in Dublin, with Conor Murray also coming in for the injured Kieran Marmion."Robbie trained last week a little bit at full-back and last November and last summer," Schmidt explained.
"It's been something that's been an option for us for a while.
"It's not as much of a surprise to Robbie or the team as it is to other people.
"Rob ran out of time a little bit. He's coming up to speed, he trained really well this week.
"He's only really had that one game against Scarlets."
Josh van der Flier has won the battle with Sean O'Brien for openside-flanker, with the 'Tullow Tank' taking his place among the substitutes.
Captain Rory Best is joined by Cian Healy and Tadhg Furlong in the front row, with James Ryan partnering Devin Toner in the second row.
CJ Stander and Peter O'Mahony join van der Flier in a formidable back row, and Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray will resume their partnership at out-half and scrum-half respectively.
Henshaw's selection at full-back means Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose will once again play in the centre.
Joey Carbery, Sean Cronin, Andrew Porter, John Cooney, Quinn Roux, Dave Kilcoyne, and Jordan Larmour are on the bench.
England also named their starting team earlier today.
Ireland: R Henshaw; K Earls, G Ringrose, B Aki, J Stockdale; J Sexton, C Murray; C Healy, R Best (capt), T Furlong; D Toner, J Ryan; P O'Mahony, J van der Flier, CJ Stander
Replacements: S Cronin, D Kilcoyne, A Porter, Q Roux, S O'Brien, J Cooney, J Carbery, J Larmour