Munster's Mick O'Driscoll replaces the injured Paul O'Connell

O'Connell fractured his thumb in last weekend's Murrayfield win. Leinster's Trevor Hogan is called up to the bench.

Loose-head prop Marcus Horan, who missed the Scotland game with a calf injury, will be given until Friday to prove his fitness.

Ulster's Simon Best, who played against Scotland, is again on standby.

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Skipper Brian O'Driscoll has recovered from a bruising encounter with Scotland and will captain Ireland for a record 37th time.

Wasps' scrum-half Eoin Reddan remains as cover at scrum-half as Ulster's Isaac Boss is still recovering from a shoulder injury.

Ireland's most-capped player Malcolm O'Kelly is still in rehabilitation following a knee problem.

O'Driscoll, meanwhile, is known as a real forward workhorse and has spent a lot of his career in the back-row.

He spent two seasons at Perpignan before returning to his Munster roots last season.

He made his debut against Romania back in 2001 and will win his ninth cap at the weekend.

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan expects a very tough game against an upbeat Italy.

"The Italian victory over Wales puts a different complexion on our final game," said O'Sullivan.

"I always said that Italy are a good side and are now playing with a huge amount of belief."

Ireland: Dempsey; Horgan, B O'Driscoll (capt), D'Arcy, Hickie; O'Gara, Stringer; Horan/S Best, R Best, Hayes, O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll, S Easterby, D Wallace, Leamy.
Replacements: Flannery, S Best/B Young, T Hogan, N Best, Reddan, P Wallace, Trimble.