Jonny Sexton is fit so just one change made by Joe Schmidt to his starting team to take on the Italians this Saturday.
The outhalf’s been training with a protective covering on his thumb but word is it would need to be hanging off to stop Sexton playing.
So the only change comes in the back row due to Peter O’Mahony getting treatment on an injured hamstring and shoulder.
In comes versatile 6 foot 6 Ulsterman Iain Henderson making his first Six Nations start.
Crucially Hendo can cover second row so Schmidt has gone for another flanker to take his place on the bench – Leinster’s Rhys Ruddock with just one cap to his name.
Only one other change on the bench – Eoin Reddan will cover scrum half instead of Isaac Boss.
Oh and there is the small matter of arguably Ireland’s greatest ever player – Brian O’Driscoll is set to break George Gregan’s international test record.
When Drico leaves the hallowed Lansdowne Road turf for the last time this weekend – he’ll have an incredible 140 test matches under his belt.
IRELAND Team & Replacements( v Italy, Aviva Stadium, London, RBS 6 Nations Championship, Saturday 8th March kick-off 14:30 GMT)
Player/Club/Province/Caps
15. Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster) 52
14. Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster) 53
13. Brian O'Driscoll (UCD/Leinster) 131
12. Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster) 77
11. Dave Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster) 5
10. Jonathan Sexton (Racing Metro 92) 41
9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) 25
1. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) 45
2. Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) 73
3. Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster) 37
4. Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster) 13
5. Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster) 90 capt
6. Iain Henderson (Ballinahinch/Ulster) 8
7. Chris Henry (Malone/Ulster) 12
8. Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster) 63
Replacements
16. Sean Cronin (St. Mary's College/Leinster) 33
17. Jack McGrath (St. Mary's College/Leinster) 6
18. Martin Moore (Lansdowne/Leinster) 3
19. Rhys Ruddock (St Mary’s College/Leinster) 1
20. Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster) 1
21. Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster) 52
22. Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster) 8
23. Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster) 24
