Howe has been called up after in-form Leinster back Gordon D'Arcy injured his groin during the 31-17 defeat by the Springboks in last weekend's first Test.

Skipper Brian O'Driscoll returns to his usual position at outside centre after being moved during the RBS 6 Nations to accomodate D'Arcy, while Shane Horgan is handed the number 12 jersey.

Leicester flyer Geordan Murphy takes Horgan's place on the right wing and Howe, the only change in personnel to the side, fills in on the left for his 14th international appearance.

Girvan Dempsey will reach the 50-cap landmark on Saturday in the final leg of the Triple Crown winners' two-Test tour of South Africa, sweeping him to within four of Tom Kiernan's record for an Irish full-back.

Munster fly-half Ronan O'Gara will make his 45th appearance while O'Driscoll will lead the side for the 15th time.

Team: G Dempsey (Leinster) G Murphy (Leicester), B O'Driscoll (Leinster, captain), S Horgan (Leinster), T Howe (Ulster) R O'Gara (Munster), P Stringer (Munster), R Corrigan (Leinster), S Byrne (Leinster), J Hayes (Munster), M O'Kelly (Leinster), P O'Connell (Munster), S Easterby (Llanelli), D Wallace (Munster), A Foley (Munster).

Replacements: F Sheahan (Munster), M Horan (Munster), D O'Callaghan (Munster), A Quinlan (Munster), G Easterby (Rotherham), D Humphreys (Ulster), K Maggs (Bath).