Ireland playmaker Jonathan Sexton was given the all-clear to face Italy in the Six Nations in Dublin this weekend after being included in coach Joe Schmidt’s starting XV on Thursday.
The fly-half’s place had been in doubt after he damaged thumb ligaments during Ireland’s 13-10 defeat by England at Twickenham on February 22.
However, tournament leaders Ireland have made one injury-enforced change for the penultimate round of the Championship, with Iain Henderson replacing Peter O’Mahony at blindside flanker after Schmidt decided against risking the Munster captain, suffering from hamstring trouble, ahead of a potential title-decider against France in Paris on March 15.
Meanwhile former Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll, in what is set to be his final Test on home soil before retirement, is poised to set a new world record for international appearances.
The Leinster centre will take sole possession of a record he currently shares with former Australia scrum-half George Gregan should he run out for his 140th Test at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.
O’Driscoll, whose tally includes eight appearances for the British and Irish Lions, has already surpassed former fly-half Ronan O’Gara’s Irish record of 128 caps.
Ireland are in a in a four-way tie at the top of the Six Nations with England, two-time defending champions Wales and France.
However, Ireland have a massive points difference advantage, the initial tie-breaker for teams level on tournament points, over their title rivals.
Their points difference stands currently at +42 compared to England’s +21, two-time defending champions Wales’ +6 and France’s +1.
Ireland team to play Italy in a Six Nations international at Dublin’s Lansdowne Road on Saturday (1430GMT kick-off):
Ireland (15-1)
Rob Kearney; Andrew Trimble, Brian O’Driscoll, Gordon D’Arcy, Dave Kearney; Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray; Jamie Heaslip, Chris Henry, Iain Henderson; Paul O’Connell (capt), Devin Toner; Mike Ross, Rory Best, Cian Healy
Replacements: Sean Cronin, Jack McGrath, Martin Moore Rhys Ruddock, Jordi Murphy, Eoin Reddan, Paddy Jackson, Fergus McFadden
