Leinster's Robert Kearney gets the nod ahead of Tommy Bowe

The one big surprise is the omission of Ulster's in-form winger Tommy Bowe with Leinster's Robert Kearney preferred.

Fifteen players who were in the squad against Argentina in the last World Cup game in France have been retained.

New faces include Tony Buckley, Jamie Heaslip, Bernard Jackman, Mick O'Driscoll and Kearney.

Girvan Dempsey and Andrew Trimble, who missed the game against the Pumas, are included in the match squad, but Johnny O'Connor, the one genuine open-side flanker in the original 32-man squad, is omitted.

606: DEBATE Eddie has put himself in a corner, if the team don't perform again then he has to go.

Neil Best is another big -name casualty from the World Cup while Bryan Young, Isaac Boss and Gavin Duffy will attempt to impress in the A side which faces the England Saxons at Welford Road on 1 February.

Shane Horgan, Alan Quinlan and Frankie Sheahan will also start the A match as they have been sidelined for most of the season through injury and it will facilitate their need for more game time.

O'Sullivan, under much pressure to hold onto his job following the World Cup disaster, said his selections were made on current form.

"The match 22 selection for the Italy game was made on the basis of form and while the response of all of the squad over the last week has been excellent, there were some tight calls to be made," said O'Sullivan.

"This will be even harder to do next week when we decide the final selection for the game."

Bowe's exclusion, particularly with Denis Hickie now retired and Horgan coming back from injury, will raise a few eyebrows, however.

The 24-year-old from Monaghan had a few poor games at the start of the season when he was in the centre, but has been the essence of consistency in what has been a disastrous season for Ulster.

He has been the one shining light, scoring tries for fun. Kearney, 21, did impress for Leinster at full-back while Girvan Dempsey was injured which has probably given him the edge.

Kearney won his only cap during the summer tour to Argentina last June.

Geordan Murphy's form with Leicester sees him retained, and, with Dempsey and Kearney in the frame, principally as a winger.

With Jerry Flannery sidelined due to an eight-week ban, Jackman finally gets his chance following a great start to the season for Leinster.

However, O'Sullivan is a great fan of Rory Best, who is a superb scrummager. Best was not expected to be fit for selection after turning his ankle four weeks ago, but has returned quicker than expected.

Ireland squad:
Forwards: Rory Best (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Tony Buckley (Shannon/Munster), Simon Easterby (Llanelli), John Hayes (Bruff/Munster), Jamie Heaslip (Clontarf/Leinster), Marcus Horan (Shannon/Munster), Bernard Jackman (Clontarf/Leinster), Denis Leamy (Cork Constitution/Munster), Donncha O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster), Mick O'Driscoll (Cork Constitution/Munster), Malcolm O'Kelly (St.Mary's College/Leinster), David Wallace (Garryowen/Munster).

Backs: Girvan Dempsey (Terenure College/Leinster), Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster), Robert Kearney (UCD/Leinster), Geordan Murphy (Leicester), Brian O'Driscoll (UCD/Leinster), Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster), Eoin Reddan (Wasps), Peter Stringer (Shannon/Munster), Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster), Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster).