Frank Sheahan takes over from the injured Keith Wood in the front row while Simon Easterby (Llanelli) is the sole non-Munster player in the pack

Geordan Murphy (Leicester) is named on the right wing with Brian O'Driscoll and Kevin Maggs in the centre while the replacements include Keith Gleeson and Rob Henderson.

Keith Wood, Eric Miller, Malcolm O'Kelly, Shane Horgan and Emmet Byrne were not considered for selection because of injury.

Ireland. G Dempsey; G Murphy, B O'Driscoll, K Maggs, D Hickie; D Humphreys, P Stringer; P Clohessy, F Sheahan, J Hayes; M Galwey capt, P O'Connell; S Easterby, D Wallace, A Foley;

Replacements. S Byrne, AN Other, G Longwell, K Gleeson, G Easterby, R O'Gara, R Henderson.