Ulster winger, Andrew Trimble, has been selected by Ireland Coach, Joe Schmidt, in his starting XV to face Scotland (RBS 6 Nations / Aviva Stadium / 15:00).
Trimble won his 50th cap for Ireland, against Canada last summer, but he wasn’t selected for the Autumn Internationals.
He joins his fellow Ulster players, Luke Marshall, Rory Best and Chris Henry in the side as Ireland begin their first RBS 6 Nations campaign under Schmidt.
Paddy Jackson is named on the bench, as is Dan Tuohy.
Commenting on the selection of Trimble, Schmidt said:
“His last two performances for Ulster have been really good. Wing is a highly contested position and Andrew has first run at it. He is a physical winger, good in the air. Defensively he can close down pretty efficiently so that is why we have opted for him there.”
Brian O'Driscoll and Rob Kearney will both reach significant career milestones when they line out against Scotland at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Brian O'Driscoll will earn his 129th cap on Sunday and will become Ireland's most capped player of all time. Rob Kearney will claim his 50th cap for Ireland.
Paul O'Connell captain's the side and will be partnered in the second row by Devin Toner. The front-row is made up of Leinster duo Cian Healy and Mike Ross with Best at hooker.
Henry starts at openside with Munster captain Peter O'Mahony on the blindside and Jamie Heaslip at No.8.
Conor Murray partners Johnny Sexton at half-back with Luke Marshall and Brian O'Driscoll partnered in the centre. The back three sees Rob Kearney at fullback and Dave Kearney and Trimble on the wings.
IRELAND Team and Replacements v Scotland, Aviva Stadium, Dublin, RBS 6 Nations Championship, Sunday 2nd February, kick-off 15.00 GMT)
15. Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster) 49
14. David Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster) 2
13. Brian O'Driscoll (UCD/Leinster) 128
12. Luke Marshall (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 4
11. Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster) 50
10. Jonathan Sexton (Racing Metro 92) 38
9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) 22
1. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) 42
2. Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) 70
3. Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster) 34
4. Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster) 10
5. Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster) 88 capt
6. Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster) 19
7. Chris Henry (Malone/Ulster) 9
8. Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster) 60
Replacements
16. Sean Cronin (St. Mary's College/Leinster) 30
17. Jack McGrath (St. Mary's College/Leinster) 3
18. Martin Moore (Lansdowne/Leinster)*
19. Dan Tuohy (Ballymena/Ulster) 7
20. Tommy O'Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster) 2
21. Isaac Boss (Terenure College/Leinster) 17
22. Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster) 5
23. Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster) 21