Andy Farrell has rewarded youngster Joe McCarthy’s performance by giving him a start in the Six Nations game between Ireland and France.
The 22-year-old impressed off the bench in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand and carried that form into Leinster this season.
McCarthy has been one of the bright lights for the Dubliners and as a result could get a chance alongside Tadhg Beirne in the second row.
James Ryan fired
This means James Ryan, who was considered one of the candidates for Ireland’s captaincy, will sit on the bench.
Elsewhere in the pack, there are few surprises against France, with Leinster trio Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong once again lined up in the front row.
Behind them are Josh van der Vlier and Johnny Sexton’s successor as captain, Peter O’Mahony, at flanker, while number eight Caelan Doris completes the loose trio.
Speaking of Sexton, Munster’s Jack Crowley took his first shot in the fly-half jersey following the legendary playmaker’s retirement.
He put in a great performance in the opening game of the Six Nations and will be keen to stick in the shirt for the long term.
Crawley will partner the experienced Jamison Gibson-Park at half-back, while Bundy Aki and Robbie Henshaw, replacing the injured Garry Ringrose, will be in the centre.
In the back three, James Rowe proved fit to start for Leinster on the left wing, while Calvin Nash, who won his second cap, replaced the injured Mack Hansen on the right wing.
The ever-reliable Hugo Keenan continues at full-back, completing a talented XV.
There is plenty of quality on the bench as Farrell opted for a 6-2 split. Ronan Kelleher, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, Ryan Baird and Jack Connan will replace the forwards, with Conor Murray and Ciaran Frawley providing cover for the backs.
Ireland side plays France
Ireland: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Bundy Aki, 11 James Rowe, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Jamison Gibson Park, 8 Sheeran Doris, 7 Josh van der Flier , 6 Peter O’Mahony (c), 5 Tajig Beirne, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Tajig Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter
Replacement: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 James Ryan, 20 Ryan Baird, 21 Jack Conan, 22 Conor Murray, 23 Ciaran Frawley
date: Friday, February 2nd
venue: Orange Velodrome, Marseille
kick off: 21:00 local time (20:00 GMT)
Referee: Carl Dixon (England)
Assistant referee: Matthew Curley (England), Jordan Way (Australia)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
read more: Expert witness: Bernard Jackman backs James Ryan’s disdain as Ireland’s ‘right decision’ as they aim to ‘cure’ their World Cup hangover