The 22-year-old will make his first start for his country after coming on for his debut as a substitute against France just last month.

A second cap followed, again as a replacement, against England but few expected the youngest man in the Irish squad to dislodge Eoin Reddan from the starting job.

But Kidney is confident that the Munster man is ready to step up to the plate after impressing in training.

“We said we'd judge it off that. If we're to know more about him, now's the time to know,” said Kidney.

“He deserves a go and we think he's good enough to start.

“It's a big call given it's our first game in the World Cup, but what he's been doing merits his inclusion.”

Elsewhere Geordan Murphy starts at full back ahead of Rob Kearney and Keith Earls is preferred on the wing to Andrew Trimble.

Jonathan Sexton appears to have fought off the competition from Ronan O’Gara to claim the no.10 jersey while captain Brian O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy pair up again in the centres.

In the forwards Sean O’Brien’s injured knee is not risked so Shane Jennings starts at flanker while Tom Court, Mike Ross and Rory Best make up the front row.

15. Geordan Murphy – Leicester

14. Tommy Bowe – Ospreys

13. Brian O’Driscoll – Leinster

12. Gordon D’Arcy – Leinster

11. Keith Earls – Munster

10. Jonathan Sexton – Leinster

9. Conor Murray – Munster

1. Tom Court – Ulster

2. Rory Best – Ulster

3. Mike Ross – Leinster

4. Donncha O’Callaghan – Munster

5. Paul O’Connell – Munster

6. Stephen Ferris – Ulster

7. Shane Jennings – Leinster

8. Jamie Heaslip – Leinster

Replacements

16. Jerry Flannery – Munster

17. Tony Buckley – Sale

18. Donnacha Ryan - Munster

19. Denis Leamy - Munster

20. Eoin Reddan - Leinster

21. Ronan O’Gara - Munster

22. Andrew Trimble - Ulster