Ireland debut for Sexton

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The 24-year-old replaces Ronan O'Gara at fly-half as reward for his exploits during Leinster's march to Heineken Cup glory last season and his solid start to the current campaign.

Keith Earls comes in for Luke Fitzgerald on the left wing after the Leinster back was ruled out for up to six months with knee ligament damage.

Earls is the only non-Leinster representative in the backline, with centre Gordon D'Arcy, Shane Horgan and Eoin Reddan recalled.

D'Arcy replaces Paddy Wallace at inside centre, Horgan comes in for Tommy Bowe on the right wing and Reddan is given the nod ahead of Tomas O'Leary at scrum-half.

Leinster centre Brian O'Driscoll, who celebrated his 100th Test appearance with the match-saving try against Australia, will captain the team for the 58th time.

Ulster's Tom Court starts ahead of Cian Healy at loosehead prop, while Leo Cullen partners Paul O'Connell in the second row with Donncha O'Callaghan dropping to the bench. The final change sees Denis Leamy displace Munster colleague David Wallace at openside.

Uncapped Leinster back row Sean O'Brien features among the substitutes, as does Andrew Trimble, O'Leary and Paddy Wallace.

Ireland team: R Kearney (Leinster), S Horgan (Leinster), B O'Driscoll (Leinster, capt), G D'Arcy (Leinster), K Earls (Munster), J Sexton (Leinster), E Reddan (Leinster), T Court (Ulster), J Flannery (Munster), J Hayes (Munster), L Cullen (Leinster), P O'Connell (Munster), S Ferris (Ulster), D Leamy (Munster), J Heaslip (Leinster).

Replacements: S Cronin (Connacht), T Buckley (Munster), D O'Callaghan (Munster) S O'Brien (Leinster), T O'Leary (Munster), P Wallace (Ulster) A Trimble (Ulster).