Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has handed 22-year-old Munster rookie Paul O'Connell a surprise debut for the Six Nations Championship opener against Wales at Lansdowne Road on Sunday.
O'Connell only made his Munster debut in August but he got the nod to partner provincial team-mate Mike Galwey in the Irish second row at Lansdowne Road.
With Malcolm O'Kelly suffering a fractured cheekbone, Ulster's Gary Longwell had been expected to have filled the gap but coach O'Sullivan said: "Paul has been the form player this year.
"He's a good athlete and a good player and even though it is his first season this year he has risen to every challenge presented to him."
Galwey was named as team captain in the absence of the injured Keith Wood while the other change the introduction of Simon Easterby at wing forward due to the withdrawal of Eric Miller with a stomach bug.
One substitute spot has been left vacant as O'Sullivan assesses his growing injury list.
Ireland team:15-Girvan Dempsey, 14-Geordan Murphy, 13-Brian O'Driscoll, 12-Kevin Maggs, 11-Denis Hickie; 10-David Humphreys, 9-Peter Stringer, 8-Anthony Foley, 7-David Wallace, 6-Simon Easterby, 5-Paul O'Connell, 4-Mick Galwey (captain), 3-John Hayes, 2-Frank Sheahan, 1-Peter Clohessy.
Replacements:22-Rob Henderson, 21-Ronan O'Gara, 20-Guy Easterby, 19-Keith Gleeson, 18-Gary Longwell, 17-TBA, 16-Shane Byrne.