The Irish spring a couple of surprises ahead of the first game of the competition.
Ulster duo Andrew Trimble and Luke Marshall are surprise inclusions in the Ireland team for Sunday’s Six Nations opener against Scotland in Dublin.
Two of the three changes from the New Zealand defeat are in the backs with Trimble replacing the injured Tommy Bowe and Marshall in for Gordon D’Arcy.
The other change from that match sees another Ulster player, Chris Henry, in for injured flanker Sean O’Brien.
Brian O’Driscoll will make an Irish record 129th appearance this weekend.
O’Driscoll moves ahead of Ronan O’Gara’s 128-cap haul while another milestone will see Rob Kearney making his 50th appearance for the Irish.
D’Arcy, 33, was one of Ireland’s best performers against the All Blacks.
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The 75-times capped Leinster centre’s omission from the entire squad for this weekend’s game will be a major talking-point although it’s conceivable, given the physical demands of the competition, it may be a case of him being kept fresh for next weekend’s game against Wales.
Ireland’s Six Nations fixtures
2 Feb: Scotland (H)
8 Feb: Wales (H)
22 Feb: England (A)
8 March: Italy (H)
15 March: France (A)
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