Brian O'Driscoll has been named as Ireland captain for the first time when he will lead his side out against the World Champions Australia at Lansdowne Road this Saturday.
"I'm thrilled," was O'Driscoll's reaction to getting the captaincy as he takes over from the injured Keith Wood ahead of Munster's Anthony Foley.
Both Foley and Ulster's David Humphreys have skippered Ireland in Wood's absence over the past couple of seasons, but coach Eddie O'Sullivan is happy to hand over the reigns to the 23-year-old.
"I have every confidence that he will do a great job," said O'Sullivan "I had no problems giving Brian the captaincy. 'He was made one of the vice-captains last week, and I feel now is the right time to give him the lead role".
As expected, Shane Byrne takes over the hooking role from Wood, while Shane Horgan is back after injury in place of John Kelly. But O'Sullivan has left a vacancy on the left wing in the hope that Denis Hickie's wrist injury recovers in time.
Ireland team:G Dempsey; S Horgan; B O'Driscoll, capt, K Maggs, AN Other, R O'Gara, P Stringer; R Corrigan, S Byrne, J Hayes, G Longwell, M O'Kelly, V Costello, A Foley, K Gleeson.
Replacements:G Easterby, D Humphreys, AN Other, F Sheahan, P Wallace, L Cullen, A Quinlan.