Eddie O'Sullivan has chosen arguably the strongest side available to him for the World Cup warm-up against Bayonne this Thursday.

The Ireland coach is without flanker David Wallace (ankle), prop Simon Best (back spasm) and winger Shane Horgan (knee) for the game ahead of the September showpiece in France.

Wallace's absence has afforded O'Sullivan the chance to have another look at Neil Best at openside, after the Ulster flanker did just enough for inclusion in the 30-man squad in last weekend's defeat to Scotland.

His Ulster's team-mate Andrew Trimble will cover Horgan on the right wing as part of a very familiar backline that includes captain Brian O'Driscoll, his central partner Gordon D'Arcy, outhalf Ronan O'Gara and scrumhalf Peter Stringer.

Denis Hickie will take his place on the other wing just days after announcing that he will retire after the tournament.  Girvan Dempsey is at fullback, while Geordan Murphy has recovered sufficiently from a dead leg to be named among the replacements.

Secondrow Paul O'Connell will lead the pack, with Donncha O'Callaghan alongside him, while at hooker Rory Best gets the nod ahead of Jerry Flannery and Frankie Sheahan, who is on the bench.

John Hayes and Marcus Horan also return as Ireland look to remedy the frontrow weaknesses that were exploited by Scotland in Murrayfield. Simon Easterby and Denis Leamy, at number eight, complete the backrow.

"The other players in the squad need game time and this match gives us that opportunity," said O'Sullivan in Capreton today. "You cannot replicate the same levels of intensity and physicality in training as you can in a match, so Thursday night will be vital for their preparation.  This will be a full on match and will give the team the levels of contact we need.

"The new faces in the team have really been chomping at the bit to get a game and it will be a step up for them as they come out of their pre-season, but it is something that they need."

Also among the replacements are Ulster prop Bryan Young, Leinster secondrow Malcolm O'Kelly and Munster's Alan Quinlan.

Wasps scrumhalf is selected ahead of Isaac Boss to cover Stringer, while outhalf Paddy Wallace is likely to get another chance from the bench after a forgettable match in Murrayfield.

One of those eager to impress is Rory Best, who is "delighted" to have been picked.  "It's been a good week, after being named in the World Cup squad and now getting the chance to move up and play my first game," said the Ulster hooker.

"We have moved on from all our fitness work in the preseason and the last couple of weeks have seen us sharpen up on our ball skills and team patterns.  I know that I need to put all of that together on the park, so Thursday night should be a tough game and allow us to get that important first match under our belts.

"The training here has been great and I think we have all raised the bar another level.  The guys who did not play last week are also eager to get a game, so we are looking forward to it".

Kick-off at the Stade Jean Dauger is at 9pm local time tomorrow. The team will be play in blue as it is not a full representative game.