Team News: Ulster Wing Tommy Bowe and Munster secondrow Mick O'Driscoll both make the Ireland starting XV to face Scotland in this Saturday's Six Nations encounter at Croke Park. There is also the welcome return of Paul O'Connell who is named on the bench.
Bowe is named on the right wing in place of Geordan Murphy in a backline that will see Ronan O'Gara win his 80th cap while O'Driscoll comes into the side in place of Malcolm O'Kelly.
There main injury concern rests with Tony Buckley after he injured his thumb playing for Munster at the weekend. While x-rays have not shown any fracture, he will undergo a further fitness test at the end of the week.
Bryan Young has been called up and will remain with the squad as cover for Buckley should he not be passed fit.
Captain Brian O'Driscoll's calf also tightened during this morning's training, so Luke Fitzgerald, who was originally selected in the A team to play Scotland A, will remain with the senior squad as as cover.
Ireland: Girvan Dempsey, Tommy Bowe, Brian O'Driscoll (Capt), Andrew Trimble, Robert Kearney, Ronan O'Gara, Eoin Reddan, Marcus Horan, Bernard Jackman, John Hayes, Donncha O'Callaghan, Mick O'Driscoll, Denis Leamy, David Wallace, Jamie Heaslip
Replacements:Rory Best, Tony Buckley, Paul
O'Connell, Simon Easterby, Peter Stringer, Paddy Wallace, Shane
Horgan
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