Eddie O'Sullivan is still waiting for fullback Geordan Murphy to be given the all clear ahead of his side's second Test with the All Blacks in Auckland on Saturday, but the Leicester man will start if fit in an unchanged side from that which suffered a narrow defeat in Hamilton at the weekend.
A spot has been left vacant on the bench pending the outcome of a fitness test closer to Saturday. It is likely to be filled by winger Denis Hickie should Murphy miss out, with Girvan Dempsey ready to move in at number 15.
Ireland have earned some respect in New Zealand following their 34-23 defeat on Saturday, but the second Test will be an even greater challenge with the hosts wary of complacency and eager to iron out errors that were evident in their game.
Graham Henry has called lock Troy Flavell, flanker Jerome Kaino and centre Casey Laulala into their starting line-up, thereby dropping Greg Rawlinson and Ma'a Nonu to the bench.
The aptly named flanker Craig Newby is included instead of Marty Holah who is dropped from the squad. Andrew Hore takes over Anton Oliver's spot as replacement hooker, with the Otago captain heading to Argentina on Thursday.
Announcing his team Henry said: "Changes have always been part of the plan for this series.
"One of our goals has been to see a lot of players on the park, so this is part of a process. The challenge is to make sure our performance continues to improve while we make changes."
Ireland: 15-Geordan Murphy; 14-Shane Horgan, 13-Brian O'Driscoll (capt), 12-Gordon D'Arcy, 11-Andrew Trimble; 10-Ronan O'Gara, 9-Peter Stringer; 8-Denis Leamy, 7-David Wallace, 6-Neil Best, 5-Paul O'Connell, 4-Donncha O'Callaghan, 4-John Hayes, 2-Jerry Flannery, 1-Marcus Horan.
Replacements: 16-Rory Best, 17-Bryan Young, 18-Mick O'Driscoll, 19-Keith Gleeson, 20-Isaac Boss, 21-Girvan Dempsey, 22-one to be named.
New Zealand: Mils Muliaina, Doug Howlett, Casey Laulala, Aaron Mauger, Joe Rokocoko, Luke McAlister, Byron Kelleher; Clarke Dermody, Keven Mealamu, Carl Hayman, Chris Jack, Troy Flavell, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (captain), Rodney So'oialo.
Replacements: Andrew Hore, Neemia Tialata, Greg Rawlinson, Craig Newby, Jimmy Cowan, David Hill, Ma'a Nonu
