Brian O'Driscoll will continue his captaincy of Ireland when the Six Nations kicks off on Sunday week after it was confirmed Keith Wood will not be available for the clash with Scotland.
Wood, with just 20 minutes of action under his belt since last September, had hoped to play at Murrayfield but was not considered for selection when Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan named his provisional 31-man squad this morning.
Rob Henderson, a try-scorer in Munster's Celtic League final triumph on Saturday, returns to international duty after missing much of the autumn schedule with a bicep injury.
But there is no place for David Wallace. The Garryowen man is also back in action after a long injury lay-off, but the Irish team mangement have opted to allow him more time for recovery.
Ronan O'Gara, who limped off in Cardiff after being stamped on by Neath flanker Brett Sinkinson, is included in the selection after medical scans revealed the out-half had only suffered bruising on his ankle and the damage was not as bad as first feared.
The squad will be put through its paces at a three-day training session in Naas this week before being trimmed down to 22 on Friday. The starting line-up will be announced next Wednesday.
Ireland
Backs: Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster/Lansdowne), Girvan Dempsey (Leinster/Terenure College), Guy Easterby (Llanelli), Rob Henderson (Munster/Young Munster), Denis Hickie (Leinster/St. Mary's College), Shane Horgan (Leinster/Lansdowne), David Humphreys (Ulster/Dungannon), John Kelly (Munster/Cork Constitution), Kevin Maggs (Bath), Geordan Murphy (Leicester), Ronan O'Gara (Munster/Cork Constitution), Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster/Blackrock College, capt), David Quinlan (Leinster/Blackrock College), Peter Stringer (Munster/Shannon).
Forwards:Simon Best (Ulster/Belfast Harlequins), Shane Byrne (Leinster/Blackrock College), Reggie Corrigan (Leinster/Greystones), Victor Costello, (Leinster/St. Mary's College), Leo Cullen (Leinster/Blackrock/College), Jeremy Davidson (Ulster/Dungannon), Simon Easterby (Llanelli), Justin Fitzpatrick (Ulster/Dungannon), Anthony Foley (Munster/Shannon), Keith Gleeson (Leinster/St. Mary's College), John Hayes (Munster/Shannon), Marcus Horan (Munster/Shannon), Gary Longwell (Ulster/Ballymena), Eric Miller (Leinster/Terenure College), Malcolm O'Kelly (Leinster/St. Mary's College), Alan Quinlan (Munster/Shannon), Frank Sheahan (Munster/Cork Constitution).
Not considered due to injury: Jonathan Bell (Ulster/Dungannon) Justin Bishop (London Irish), Emmet Byrne (Leinster/St. Mary's College), Tyrone Howe (Ulster/Dungannon), Paul O'Connell (Munster/Young Munster), David Wallace (Munster/Garryowen), Paul Wallace (Lenister/Blackrock College), Keith Wood (Harlequins).