The Irish captain missed the recent friendly win over Romania because of the death of his brother Gordon.

Wood's return means Shane Byrne drops to the replacements.

Otherwise, the Irish team is unchanged from the side which started against the Romanians.

There is a slight fitness doubt over winger Denis Hickie who has an ankle strain but the St Mary's man has been named in the starting line-up.

Ronan O'Gara again holds off the challenge of Ulster's David Humphreys to take the number 10 shirt.

Gary Longwell is the only Ulster player in the starting 15.

The Irish squad will begin their 11-hour trip to Siberia on Thursday morning.

Irish coach Eddie O'Sullivan acknowledged that he would be looking for an improved performance after the stuttering display against Romania.

"We were not completely happy with the result against Romania but it was the first game of the season," said O'Sullivan.

Varied weather

"The game against Russia will be a different match, different environment and a very different challenge.

"What we know of them is that they will be very physical and well-organised and they did test Romania earlier this season.

"They also have the incentive that if they reach the World Cup proper, they will get government backing so they have to all to play for.

"The conditions out there should be fine for us at around 20 degrees centigrade although I was told that it snowed there last week.

"We will just have to be completely focused on the job in hand regardless of the conditions," added O'Sullivan.

Ireland: G Dempsey, J Kelly, B O'Driscoll, K Maggs, D Hickie, R O'Gara, P Stringer, R Corrigan, K Wood (capt), J Hayes, G Longwell, M O'Kelly, S Easterby, A Foley, K Gleeson.
Replacements: G Easterby, D Humphreys, R Henderson, S Byrne, P Wallace, L Cullen, A Quinlan.