Team News: Rob Kearney will start at fullback when Ireland tackle Wales on Saturday after both Geordan Murphy and Girvan Dempsey failed fitness tests this morning.

In the absence of his two first choice fullbacks, Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan moves Kearney from the left wing. Tommy Bowe switches wings to take the 11 jersey and Shane Horgan, previously named among the replacements, will fill the vacancy on the right wing.

The reshuffle means Luke Fitzgerald is called to the bench as cover.

"Following a fitness test before the Ireland training session today, both Geordan Murphy and Girvan Dempsey have been ruled out of the Six Nations game against Wales due to Achilles and hip injuries respectively," today's IRFU statement read.

Up front O'Sullivan has made two changes with Paul O'Connell and Rory Best coming in for Mick O'Driscoll and Bernard Jackman respectively.

O'Connell played his first full game since the World Cup when Munster became embroiled in a tough battle against Cardiff at the Arms Park last weekend. Although they narrowly lost (25-22) in the Magners League clash, O'Connell came through unscathed after he also came off the bench against Scotland.

O'Connell's return means O'Driscoll, who hardly put a foot wrong when deputising for his Munster team-mate, takes his place on the bench.

Best comes in at hooker and the coach will be hoping the Ulster captain provides greater consistency in the lineout. While Jackman has been a massive presence around the pitch, his service out of touch has been erratic and often put Ireland on the back foot.

"I don't want to go into the game and risk that again," said O'Sullivan. "I have to be sensible and say, 'look Rory (Best), he's probably proved himself'."

Ireland team (v Wales)

R Kearney, S Horgan, B O'Driscoll (C), A Trimble, T Bowe, R O'Gara, E Reddan, M Horan, R Best, J Hayes, D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell, D Leamy, D Wallace, J Heaslip.
Replacements:B Jackman, T Buckley, M O'Driscoll, S Easterby, P Stringer, P Wallace, L Fitzgerald