Keith Wood is back in Ireland's squad for next week's Six Nations match against Italy at Lansdowne Road, but stand-in skipper Mick Galwey has been dropped.
Wood, the team's captain and talismanic hooker, has not played since tearing a calf muscle in December, but he is due to make his comeback for Harlequins against Newcastle at the weekend.
His return should be a major boost for Ireland, whose lineout has misfired in their last two Six Nations games.
Veteran Munster second row Galwey, who has captained the side for three matches in Wood's absence, has paid the price for the lineout problems, and is likely to be replaced by Paul O'Connell.
Galwey's young provincial colleague impressed in the engine room on his debut against Wales, but has missed Ireland's last two games through injury.
Ruled out through injury are centres Kevin Maggs of Bath and Rob Henderson of Munster, and Leicester wing Geordan Murphy.
Ireland have won both their home games in the tournament, beating Wales 54-10 in the opening match and Scotland 43-22 in their last outing. In between, they lost 45-11 to England at Twickenham.
Ireland's starting line-up to play Italy will be announced next Tuesday.