The 21-year-old, who hails from Limerick, has dazzled for Munster this season, scoring four tries in six competitive outings and also making his Heineken cup debut.

Kidney views the international opener at Thomond Park Stadium as the ideal chance to test the youngster's merits.

Although he starred in the number 15 jersey last summer against New Zealand and Australia, Rob Kearney has been moved to the left wing to accommodate Earls, who is the only uncapped player in the squad.

The clash with Canada will see Luke Fitzgerald partner captain Brian O'Driscoll in the centre for the first time, with the latter having recovered from a knee ligament injury.

O'Driscoll will be aiming to guide Ireland to a 33rd win in his 49th Test match as captain, especially with IRB World Ranking points on the line.

In the pack, Munster front rowers Marcus Horan, Jerry Flannery and Tony Buckley will start an international together for the first time.

Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris will start on the blindside, alongside Shane Jennings on the other flank, and Jamie Heaslip continues where he left off during the summer tour, at number 8.

Ireland's seven replacements for the game will be confirmed by Kidney on Thursday.

Ireland team: K Earls (Munster); T Bowe (Ospreys), B O’Driscoll (Leinster), L Fitzgerald (Leinster), R Kearney (Leinster); R O’Gara (Munster), E Reddan (Wasps); M Horan (Munster), J Flannery (Munster), T Buckley (Munster), D O’Callaghan (Munster), P O’Connell (Munster), S Ferris (Ulster), J Heaslip (Leinster), S Jennings (Leinster).

Replacements to be selected from: R Best (Ulster), J Hayes (Munster), R Caldwell (Ulster), A Quinlan (Munster), D Wallace (Munster), P Wallace (Ulster), P Stringer (Munster), S Horgan (Leinster).