Dempsey makes way for returning centre Gordon D'Arcy and O'Connor loses out to Denis Leamy as Ireland look to get their championship campaign off to a winning start.

Girvan has been a stalwart at full-back so it was hard to leave him out. He played in the autumn but with Gordon DArcy coming back we needed to shuffle things about. It was a tough call, O'Sullivan said.

This is the first occasion for some time that weve been able to select from a full deck. This is the strongest backline Ive fielded.

The back row is always going to tough. Johnny loses out - he acquitted himself very well against South Africa and Argentina but Denis has been chomping at the bit and has had a very big Heineken Cup.

Prop Reggie Corrigan will undergo a late fitness test after sustaining a knee injury with Marcus Horan on standby to take his place and Simon Best earmarked for the vacancy on the bench.

Second row Malcolm OKelly will make his 69th international appearance on Sunday, equalling the record set by Mike Gibson as Irelands most capped player.