Halfback Conor Murray will start Ireland's World Cup opener against the United States after coach Declan Kidney sprang a surprise with his selections today.
Murray was not expected to make the World Cup squad but he will have the first opportunity to cement a place as Ireland's first choice scrumhalf against the US in New Plymouth on Sunday. Regular halfback Eoin Reddan was named on the bench.
The inclusion of Murray was one of a number of changes Kidney made to his side after four warm-up defeats in August and a number of injuries.
Ulster's Tom Court replaces prop Cian Healy, who has not recovered from an eye issue, with fullback Geordan Murphy and flanker Shane Jennings starting as Kidney opted not to risk Rob Kearney (groin) and Sean O'Brien (knee).
Centre Gordon D'Arcy, who flew out late to New Zealand because of a calf strain, is fit to play, however, and joins up with captain Brian O'Driscoll in midfield for Sunday's Pool C match.
Team: 15-Geordan Murphy; 14-Tommy Bowe, 13-Brian O'Driscoll, 12-Gordon D'Arcy, 11-Keith Earls, 10-Jonathan Sexton, 9-Conor Murray, 8-Jamie Heaslip, 7-Shane Jennings, 6-Stephen Ferris, 5-Paul O'Connell, 4-Donncha O'Callaghan, 3-Mike Ross, 2-Rory Best, 1-Tom Court
Replacements 16-Jerry Flannery, 17-Tony Buckley, 18-Donnacha Ryan, 19-Denis Leamy, 20-Eoin Reddan, 21-Ronan O'Gara, 22-Andres Trimble