At least six players will win their first senior Ireland caps when Declan Kidney’s side take on Canada in Vancouver on Saturday, while five more potential debutants man the bench for the first match of the North American tour.

Ulster hooker Rory Best will captain the side from the frontrow of the pack that boasts two newcomers in the shape of Munster’s Niall Ronan at openside and Connacht’s John Muldoon on the blindside of the backrow.

Connacht outhalf Ian Keatley will benefit from partnering the vastly experienced scrumhalf Peter Stringer, while the Ulster duo of Darren Cave and Ian Whitten form the centre pairing.

Munster’s Ian Dowling will make his first senior appearance on the left wing, with clubmate Barry Murphy on the opposite side and Gavin Duffy at fullback.

On the bench, Connacht’s Sean Cronin, Harlequins’ Mike Ross, Ulster’s Ryan Caldwell and Niall O’Connor, as well as Munster’s Denis Hurley will be eager to make their mark also.

The game against Canada is one of two on the tour, with the second, against the USA, scheduled for Sunday, May 31st.

Ireland Team:Gavin Duffy (Galwegians/Connacht); Barry Murphy (U.L. Bohemians/Munster), Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)*, Ian Whitten (Ballymena/Ulster)*, Ian Dowling (Shannon/Munster)*; Ian Keatley (Galwegians/Connacht)*, Peter Stringer (Shannon/Munster); Tom Court (Malone/Ulster), Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster), Tony Buckley (Shannon/Munster), Bob Casey (London Irish); Mick O'Driscoll (Cork Constitution/Munster), John Muldoon (Buccanneers/Connacht)*, Niall Ronan (Shannon/Munster)*, Denis Leamy (Cork Constitution/Munster)

Replacements:Sean Cronin (Buccaneers/Connacht)*, Mike Ross (Harlequins)*, Ryan Caldwell (Dungannon/Ulster)*, Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster), Eoin Reddan (London Wasps), Niall O'Connor (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)*, Denis Hurley (Cork Constitution/Munster)*