The big man comes back to captain the side from the second row and Gordon D’Arcy and Brian O’Driscoll resume the most experienced centre partnership in international rugby.
Joe Schmidt has made just the two changes from Sunday’s comfortable victory over Scotland for what is likely to be a far tougher challenge against reigning Six Nations champions Wales this weekend.
In reality, there is only one change as captain Paul O’Connell had been due to start against Scotland before withdrawing because of a chest infection and while Luke Marshall did little wrong against the Scots, the more experienced and more beard-y Gordon D’Arcy returns alongside Brian O’Driscoll in the centre.
In case you needed reminding, Ireland take on Wales on the Aviva Stadium this Saturday at 2.30pm.
Ireland team to play Wales: Rob Kearney; Andrew Trimble, Brian O’Driscoll, Gordon D’Arcy, Dave Kearney; Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray; Cian Healy, Rory Best, Mike Ross; Devin Toner, Paul O’Connell (captain); Peter O’Mahony, Chris Henry, Jamie Heaslip.
Replacements: Sean Cronin, Jack McGrath, Martin Moore, Dan Tuohy, Tommy O’Donnell, Isaac Boss, Paddy Jackson, Fergus McFadden.
