Rugby:Brian O'Driscoll has been included in the Ireland team to face South Africa in the first autumn international at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, but a decision on Keith Earls will have to wait, with Andrew Trimble and Paddy Wallace also in contention for the number 22 shirt.
The captain, who has undergone intensive rehab on a hamstring injury, joins his perennial partner Gordon D’Arcy in midfield, while a late call will be made on Earls, who faces competition from the Ulster duo on his return from an ankle injury.
The Springboks, Ireland’s first Test opponents at the redeveloped Lansdowne Road, will be the Lions centre’s first match in four weeks.
“I feel good and I’m looking forward to the team coming back to what is essentially our home,” said O’Driscoll. “We’ve enjoyed our time at Croke Park but now we want to make some memories at the new stadium.
“It would have been disappointing to miss the first game at the new Aviva so I’m looking forward to playing.”
There is a welcome recall to the backline for Leinster's Luke Fitzgerald, who forms a back three with provincial team-mate Rob Kearney and Ospreys flyer Tommy Bowe. Fitzgerald has not featured for Ireland since facing Australia in November last year.
The Leinster halfback pairing of Jonathan Sexton and Eoin Reddan get the nod ahead of Ronan O’Gara and Peter Stringer, who make the bench.
In the pack, coach Declan Kidney has opted for the Munster secondrow of Donncha O’Callaghan and Mick O’Driscoll, omitting the in-form Devin Toner from the squad altogether, and choosing Donnacha Ryan as back-up instead.
The backrow is an experienced one consisting of Stephen Ferris at blindside, David Wallace at openside and Jamie Heaslip at number eight. Cover comes in the form of Denis Leamy, with Seán O'Brien another to be overlooked.
There is no place for veteran prop John Hayes in the 22, either, with the frontrow consisting of his provincial team-mate Tony Buckley, Leinster’s Cian Healy and Ulster hooker Rory Best.
Connacht’s Seán Cronin sees his form rewarded with a place on the bench, alongside prop Tom Court.
Ireland (v South Africa):Robert Kearney; Tommy Bowe, Brian O'Driscoll (c), Gordon D'Arcy, Luke Fitzgerald; Jonathan Sexton, Eoin Reddan; Cian Healy, Rory Best, Tony Buckley; Donncha O'Callaghan, Mick O'Driscoll; Stephen Ferris, David Wallace, Jamie Heaslip.
Replacements: Seán Cronin, Tom Court, Donnacha Ryan, Denis Leamy, Peter Stringer, Ronan O'Gara, Keith Earls/Andrew Trimble/Paddy Wallace.