Keith Wood will make his much anticipated return to the international fold this Saturday when he captains Ireland in their World Cup warm-up against Wales at Lansdowne Road.
Wood reinherits the captaincy from Brian O'Driscoll for what will be his first home game since the 40-29 defeat to New Zealand in November 2001.
The hooker has not played Test rugby since the World Cup qualifying match against Russia last September when he aggravated a neck injury during the flight home from Siberia. His comeback has since been halted by a number of shoulder operations.
Coach Eddie O'Sullivan has also recalled a number of players who missed the summer tour to the southern hemisphere. Brian O'Driscoll and Shane Horgan take their place in the centre and on the wing respectively while Anthony Foley lines out at number 8.
Tight head prop Simon Best has been selected for his first full cap in a new-look front row alongside Wood and Reggie Corrigan.
Six players were not considered by O'Sullivan because of injury - James Topping, Ronan O'Gara, Marcus Horan, John Hayes, Neil Doak and Emmet Byrne.
IRELAND: 15-Geordan Murphy; 14-Shane Horgan; 13-Brian O'Driscoll; 12-Kevin Maggs; 11-Anthony Horgan; 10-David Humphreys; 9-Peter Stringer; 8-Anthony Foley; 7-Keith Gleeson; 6-Victor Costello; 5-Paul O'Connell; 4-Malcolm O'Kelly; 3-Simon Best; 2-Keith Wood (captain); 1-Reggie Corrigan
Replacements: 16-Shane Byrne; 17-Justin Fitzpatrick; 18-Donnacha O'Callaghan; 19-David Wallace; 20-Guy Easterby; 21-Tyrone Howe; 22-Girvan Dempsey