Ireland's preparations for tomorrow's Six Nations clash with Italy were dealt a major blow today when Paul O'Connell was ruled out with a rib injury.
The Munster lock, who had assumed the captaincy in Paris when Brian O'Driscoll was absent, has been Ireland's outstanding performer throughout the campaign and his physical presence will be sorely missed against the big-hitting Italians.
O'Connell's injury opens the door for his Munster teammate Donncha O'Callaghan to return to the starting XV. O'Callaghan had impressed against Wales but Malcolm O'Kelly's performance at Twickenham kept him out on this occasion amid fierce competition for places in the second row. Gary Longwell provides cover on the bench.
Commenting on O'Connell's injury, which was sustained against England, Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan said: "Paul was on course to make the match but this morning he just wasn't right. We weren't worried about it earlier this week but ribs can be notoriously slow to heal. He should be fine for next weekend."
O'Sullivan's side will look to put the Azurri to the sword as they target a rare Six Nations title.
Points will be at a premium if Ireland are to challenge France and England in the final shake-up but O'Sullivan has stressed the result is the primary focus with the margin of victory a bonus.
In the England camp coach Clive Woodward has also be forced to make a late change with Bath flyhalf Olly Barkley coming in for the injured Paul Grayson.
Barkley will make his first start for England against Wales at Twickenham as Grayson failed to recover in time from calf injury.
Barkley came on as a replacement in the win over Italy last month and the defeat by Ireland two weeks ago. He also played as a replacement against the United States in 2001.
Grayson played in England's first three Six Nations games, replacing first-choice flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson who is recovering from shoulder surgery.
Woodward had to decide between experienced utility back Mike Catt or his Bath team mate Barkley for the number 10 shirt against Wales, with Barkley's goal-kicking ability earning the him the nod.
Ireland
15 — Girvan Dempsey (Leinster — Terenure College)
14 — Shane Horgan (Leinster — Lansdowne)
13 — Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster — Lansdowne)
12 — Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster — Blackrock College) Captain
11 — Geordan Murphy (Leicester)
10 — Ronan O'Gara (Munster — Cork Constitution)
9 — Peter Stringer (Munster — Shannon)
1 — Reggie Corrigan (Leinster — Greystones)
2 — Shane Byrne (Leinster — Blackrock College)
3 — John Hayes (Munster — Shannon)
4 — Malcom O'Kelly (Leinster — St. Mary's College)
5 — Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster — Cork Constitution)
6 — Simon Easterby (Llanelli)
7 — Keith Gleeson (Leinster — St. Mary's College)
8 — Anthony Foley (Munster — Shannon)
Replacements: 16 — Frank Sheahan (Munster — Cork Constitution), 17 — Marcus Horan (Munster — Shannon), 18 — Gary Longwell (Ulster — Ballymena), 19 — Victor Costello (Leinster — St. Mary's College), 20 — Guy Easterby (Rotherham), 21 — David Humphreys (Ulster — Dungannon), 22 — Kevin Maggs (Bath).