Kevin McLoughlin and Andrew Trimble are the surprise inclusions in the Ireland side to face Italy in the 6 Nations opener at Croke Park this Saturday.
Leinster flanker McLoughlin gets the nod in the absence of Stephen Ferris who has failed to shake off a knee injury, while Trimble is chosen ahead of Keith Earls on the left wing.
Ronan O’Gara starts at out half with Jonathan Sexton not considered due to a dead leg.
The other notable inlusion is Jerry Flannery who returns at hooker, while his perennial rival for the hooking berth Rory Best makes the bench.
Ireland Team & Replacements (v Italy, Croke Park, Saturday 2 February 2010, k.o. 14.30)
15 – Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
14 – Tommy Bowe (Ospreys)
13 – Brian O’Driscoll (UCD/Leinster) (capt)
12 – Gordon D’Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
11 – Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)
10 – Ronan O’Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster)
9 – Tomas O’Leary (Dolphin/Munster)
1 – Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)
2 – Jerry Flannery (Shannon/Munster)
3 – John Hayes (Bruff/Munster)
4 – Donncha O’Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster)
5 – Paul O’Connell (Young Munster/Munster)
6 – Kevin McLaughlin (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)
7 – David Wallace (Garryowen/Munster)
8 – Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster)
Replacements:
16 – Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
17 – Tom Court (Malone/Ulster)
18 – Leo Cullen (Blackrock College/Leinster)
19 – Sean O’Brien (Clontarf/Leinster)
20 – Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
21 – Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster)
22 – Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
Unavailable due to injury:
Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)
Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster)
