Kidney admitted he was tempted to fit the experienced Girvan Dempsey into his backline, but instead opted for the uncapped Keith Earls at full-back.

Earls joins other young talents Luke Fitzgerald, Tommy Bowe and Rob Kearney in the side at Thomond Park, a venue just minutes away from Earls’ house.

"You have a number of guys who have been showing well at full-back over a period of time and what we are trying to do is build a panel,” Kidney said.

"Sometimes building a panel means you don't always get to play guys in their favoured position or even their best positions.

"It's just a case of getting guys out on the pitch. I think it's fair to say that all of those temptations were there but I'm looking forward to seeing how these guys go on Saturday.

"It's all about getting opportunities and seizing them to the best of their ability."

Earls has played at full-back and centre for Munster this season, scoring four tries in six competitive outings.

And Kidney has no qualms about handing the 21-year-old his full international debut.

"Keith's trained very well since he has come in with us. We watched him playing the games (for Munster) and I know what he is capable of," said the former Munster boss.

"We are going into a series of games now and the way he has trained I believe he deserves his chance in there.”

Captain Brian O'Driscoll has shaken off a knee ligament injury to join his Leinster colleague Fitzgerald in a mouth-watering centre partnership.

The pair were due to wear the number 12 and 13 shirts last May against the Barbarians but O'Driscoll was withdrawn from the team on the day of the match due to the death of a close friend.