Jeremy Staunton will start for Ireland A when they take on Canada in the opening round of the Churchill Cup on Saturday.

The Wasps out-half, who has only recently recovered from the thumb injury that hampered the end of his season, was originally slated for the Argentina tour but was replaced by Luke Fitzgerald earlier this week.

Staunton is one of three players in the side to have previously earned full Ireland caps with his club teammate Johnny O'Connor and Ulster's Roger Wilson also in starting line-up.

"We have three tough Tests coming up but if we perform to the best of our ability I believe these players can gain great experience from the competition," said coach Michael Bradley today.

"Three of our starting line up have been capped at full international level so we'll be looking to them to be leaders. Also, there are some exciting young players who have the opportunity to show us what they can do."

Ireland A (v Canada)
1. Ray Hogan (Galwegians/Connacht)
2. John Fogarty (Buccaneers/Connacht) Captain
3. Michael Ross (Harlequins)
4. Ryan Caldwell (Dungannon/Ulster)
5. Andrew Farley (Buccaneers/Connacht)
6. Stephen Keogh (Shannon/Leinster)
7. Johnny O'Connor (Wasps)
8. Roger Wilson (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
9.  Chris Keane (Buccaneers/Connacht)
10. Jeremy Staunton (Wasps)
11. Keith Earls (Thomond/Munster)
12. Seamus Mallon (Northampton)
13. Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
14. Paul McKenzie (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
15. Johnny Sexton (St.Mary's College/Leinster)

Replacements
16. Sean Cronin (Shannon/Munster)
17. Declan Fitzpatrick (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
18. David Gannon (Buccaneers/Connacht)
19. John Muldoon (Galwegians/Connacht)
20. Kieran Campbell (Dungannon/Ulster)
21. John Hearty (Galwegians/Connacht)
22. Fergus McFadden (UCD/Leinster)