Rob Kearney has shaken off the knock he received in the narrow defeat to South Africa and returns at full-back with stand-in 15 Luke Fitzgerald reverting to his usual wing berth.

Gordon D’Arcy also returns to the side to partner skipper Brian O’Driscoll in midfield with Donncha O’Callaghan joined by Mick O’Driscoll in the second row.

Flankers Stephen Ferris and David Wallace also return to join No.8 Jamie Heaslip in the back row, while Tom Court, Cian Healy and Rory Best complete the front row.

And Ferris insists Kidney’s decision to recall Ireland’s top stars is a reflection of the positive mood in the camp.

“We believe we can play New Zealand week in, week out and beat them,” said Ferris.

“That's the spirit of the Irish team. We have proved we are a world class team over the last couple of years.

“We have a few results in the last few months that haven't gone our way.

“We just need to beat somebody like New Zealand to show the world we are capable of mixing it with the best.

“This Ireland team has come a lot further in the past two years.

“We just need to hold onto the ball and get our set-piece firing, then we are a completely different side.”