Eddie O'Sullivan today revealed he had no hesitation in plunging Geordan Murphy straight back into Six Nations action and predicted he would give Italy at torrid time on Saturday.
Lansdowne Road will provide the setting for Murphy's first international appearance since breaking his leg against Scotland last September, an injury which forced the Leicester star to sit out the World Cup.
He was expected to be one of the stars of the tournament in Australia but instead embarked on a lengthy rehabilitation program which has progressed ahead of schedule and will be completed against the Italians on Saturday.
"Geordan has played in three matches for Leicester since his comeback," said O'Sullivan. "I think that's enough game time and from what I've seen of him in training he looks ready. "He's had a long lay-off but he's a very good footballer. It was a difficult decision but only because it was a tough call to leave out Tyrone Howe, not because of any fitness doubt over Geordan. Tyrone has played well.
"We know Geordan and he knows himself, so his fitness was never an issue. He's good to go. He has made a fantastic recovery. To only be out for six months given the severity of the injury is fantastic."
Murphy is a slippery customer with a superb eye for a gap and plenty of gas, increasing the attacking options of an Irish back line which already includes the prodigiously talented Brian O'Driscoll and in-form Gordon D'Arcy.
The 25-year-old revealed he did not expect to get the nod but insists he is ready to help Ireland keep their Six Nations title hopes alive when championship hostilities recommence after a two-week break.
"I was a little bit surprised when I heard the news. But I'm feeling confident and have improved for Leicester over the three matches I've played," he said ahead of winning his 21st cap. "Against Northampton I was playing as well as I did before I broke my leg. Eddie asked if I was okay and told him I thought I was. He's put his faith in me and I'm really excited at the prospect of playing for Ireland again."
The recall of Murphy is the only change to the starting line-up which brought world champions England crashing back down to earth with a memorable 19-13 victory at Twickenham, a result which has thrown the tournament wide open.
Scrum-half Peter Stringer has passed a fitness test after damaging his right thumb, allowing him to continue his all-Munster half-back partnership with Ronan O'Gara. But there are two changes on the bench where Marcus Horan is preferred to Simon Best as front row cover and Donncha O'Callaghan takes over from Gary Longwell after shaking off his knee problem.
O'Callaghan was set to keep Malcolm O'Kelly out of the side for the showdown with England but succumbed to injury, giving the veteran lock another chance to prove his right to join Paul O'Connell in the second row. And he did not squander the opportunity, playing a major role in a barnstorming display from Ireland's pack which helped to leave England's Grand Slam defence in tatters.
Ireland:G Dempsey (Leinster), S Horgan (Leinster), G D'Arcy (Leinster), B O'Driscoll (Leinster, capt), G Murphy (Leicester), R O'Gara (Munster), P Stringer (Munster); R Corrigan (Leinster), S Byrne (Leinster), J Hayes (Munster), M O'Kelly (Leinster), P O'Connell (Munster), S Easterby (Llanelli), K Gleeson (Leinster), A Foley (Munster).
Replacements: F Sheahan (Munster), M Horan (Munster), D O'Callaghan (Munster), V Costello (Leinster), D Humphreys (Ulster), G Easterby (Rotherham), K Maggs (Bath), T Howe (Ulster).