 Murphy will win his 27th cap |
Geordan Murphy has been switched to his preferred position of full-back as Ireland start their RBS Six Nations campaign against Italy on Sunday. Coach Eddie O'Sullivan has made two changes to the side that finished the autumn series against Argentina.
Gordon D'Arcy returns to the midfield and Shane Horgan moves to the wing with Girvan Dempsey dropping to the bench.
Munster's Denis Leamy is preferred at open-side flanker to Johnny O'Connor. Kevin Maggs drops out of the match 22.
The game at the Stadio Flaminio will be a massive milestone for lock Malcolm O'Kelly, who will equal Ireland legend Mike Gibson's record haul of 69 caps.
While Gibson's international career spanned a phenomenal 15 years, the 30-year-old O'Kelly made his debut back in 1997.
O'Sullivan had to think long and hard before finalising his side, with Denis Hickie (ankle), Horgan (calf) and Reggie Corrigan (knee) all requiring fitness tests on Wednesday.
 Leamy gets the nod over O'Connor |
While the return of D'Arcy to partner skipper Brian O'Driscoll in midfield was expected, Murphy's move from wing to full-back, and Leamy usurping O'Connor, were difficult decisions. Dempsey has rarely played a bad game in his 53 caps to date, and he finds himself on the bench after starting all 10 games at full-back last season.
''Girvan has not really done anything wrong, and it was a very difficult decision to make,'' said O'Sullivan.
"This is the first occasion for some time that we've been able to select from a full deck. This is the strongest backline I've fielded.
''The back-row was always going to be a hard one to call because of what we have available. Denis got the nod as he had a huge Heineken Cup.''
Murphy, meanwhile was happy to be playing in what he believes is his best position. ''I'm delighted to be wearing the number 15 jersey," he told BBC Sport. "I prefer playing there than the wing.
''I think it's because you see a lot more of the ball and I find it easier with more freedom to run. You can also hit different lines from full-back."
D'Arcy, who was named as the top player in last season's championship, returns to the side after a groin injury forced him to miss the autumn internationals.
Ireland: G Murphy; S Horgan, B O'Driscoll (capt), G D'Arcy, D Hickie; R O'Gara, P Stringer; R Corrigan, S Byrne, J Hayes, M O'Kelly, P O'Connell, S Easterby, D Leamy, A Foley.
Replacements: F Sheahan, M Horan, D O'Callaghan, E Miller, G Easterby, D Humphreys, G Dempsey.
MMIX
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