Ireland finished the RBS 6 Nations as the highest ranked Northern Hemisphere team according the IRB official rankings, but have been beaten by Scotland and France twice, including last week’s 26-22 defeat, leaving them needing a win to avoid a whitewash heading into the World Cup.

But they will have to do so without O’Driscoll who suffered a stinger against France and will be replaced by Keith Earls, who moves across from the wing.

Tommy Bowe makes his first appearance of the summer in Earls’ spot while Geordan Murphy replaces the injured Felix Jones whose World Cup dreams were shattered a week ago.

There is also a new half-back partnership with Ronan O’Gara coming in for Jonathan Sexton, who drops to the bench, while Eoin Reddan replaces Tomas O’Leary who missed out on Ireland ’s final 30.

In the back row Stephen Ferris makes his first start since November 2010, replacing the injured Sean O’Brien, and David Wallace returns in place of Shane Jennings.

Finally Jerry Flannery makes his long-awaited return to the starting line-up having not started for Declan Kidney’s men since the second game of the Six Nations against France.

15. Geordan Murphy – Leicester

14. Tommy Bowe – Ospreys

13. Keith Earls – Munster

12. Gordon D’Arcy – Leinster

11. Andrew Trimble – Ulster

10. Ronan O’Gara – Munster

9. Eoin Reddan – Leinster

1. Cian Healy – Leinster

2. Jerry Flannery – Munster

3. Mike Ross – Leinster

4. Donncha O’Callaghan – Munster

5. Paul O’Connell – Munster

6. Stephen Ferris – Ulster

7. David Wallace – Munster

8. Jamie Heaslip – Leinster

Replacements:

16. Rory Best – Ulster

17. Tom Court – Ulster

18. Donncha Ryan – Munster

19. Dennis Leamy – Munster

20. Conor Murray – Munster

21. Jonathan Sexton – Leinster

22. Fergus McFadden - Leinster