Brian O'Driscoll is set to become Ireland's most-capped player after being named to line up against Scotland in their Six Nations opener at Dublin's Lansdowne Road on Sunday.
The veteran centre, who is in his final season before retirement, will win his 129th Ireland cap when he takes the field and so break the national record he currently shares with former fly-half Ronan O'Gara.
But he will have an unfamiliar partner alongside him in midfield with Ulster centre Luke Marshall, capped just four times, included after 75-cap centre Gordon D'Arcy failed to recover in time from a stomach illness suffered during the week.
Elsewhere in the backs, right wing Dave Kearney makes his first Six Nations start with older brother Rob alongside him at full-back.
In the pack Chris Henry replaces Sean O'Brien after the Leinster openside flanker was ruled out for four months following shoulder surgery.
Sunday's match will be Ireland's first in the Six Nations under coach Joe Schmidt and their first since a heartbreaking 24-22 defeat by his native New Zealand in Dublin in November.
Ireland will be looking to overturn last season's shock 12-8 defeat by Scotland at Murrayfield.
This Six Nations sees them with just a six-day turnaround between their first two matches, with defending champions Wales due in Dublin on February 8.
Ireland:
Rob Kearney, David Kearney, Brian O'Driscoll, Luke Marshall, Andrew Trimble, Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray, Jamie Heaslip, Chris Henry, Peter O'Mahony, Paul O'Connell (capt), Devin Toner, Mike Ross, Rory Best, Cian Healy.
Replacements: Sean Cronin, Jack McGrath, Martin Moore, Dan Tuohy, Tommy O'Donnell, Isaac Boss, Paddy Jackson Fergus McFadden.
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