Ireland backrow Stephen Ferris has withdrawn from the team to face Italy in the final warm-up game ahead of the World Cup at Ravenhill on Friday night.

The Ulster player's knee "flared up" following training yesterday afternoon, prompting the Ireland medical team to recommend a few days rest.

Coach Eddie O'Sullivan has called on Munster's Alan Quinlan to take Ferris's place among the replacements.

Ferris's injury comes after he underwent an arthroscopy on his knee in the aftermath of the second Test against Argentina in the summer.  It is not of  major concern to the coaching staff but a major blow to an Ulster player eager to don an Ireland jersey in Ravenhill.

"It is a big disappointment for Stephen not to be taking part in the game as I know he was looking forward to getting a chance to come on and perform in front of the Ulster crowd," said O'Sullivan today.  "The most prudent course of action was not to risk him being so close to the World Cup and allow the knee time to settle down."

Quinlan's involvement could see Denis Leamy moving to openside flanker at some stage at Ravenhill as O'Sullivan continues to explore his backrow options.

With David Wallace still struggling with an ankle injury, Quinlan may be introduced at number eight to allow the Ireland coach experiment with Leamy in the number seven role. At present, Neil Best, not a natural openside, is O'Sullivan's preferred replacement for Wallace and will start against Italy.

Meanwhile Pierre Berbizier has made six changes to the side that beat Japan 36-12 in a friendly on Saturday.

Outhalf Ramiro Pez has been replaced by Roland De Marigny after the he sustained a shoulder injury in the first half against Japan, while on the left wing there is an opportunity for Matteo Pratichetti to impress instead of Marko Stanojevic.

In the pack there are five changes with hooker Fabio Ongaro returning to the fray ahead of Carlo Festuccia and Salvatore Perugini also coming into the frontrow ahead of Andrea Lo Cicero.

Injury has also ruled out Santiago Dellape and the influential Mauro Bergamasco.  Former Italian Under-21 captain Valerio Bernabo will replace Dellape in the secondrow alongside captain Marco Bortolami. The five-times capped Robert Barbieri fills in for Bergamasco at openside.

Italy are grouped with Scotland and New Zealand in France, but could potentially be a quarter-final opponent for Ireland if they secure second place and O'Sullivan's men top Pool D.

Ireland:Dempsey; Murphy, Trimble, D'Arcy , Hickie; O'Gara, Stringer; Horan, R Best, Hayes; O'Callaghan, O'Connell, Easterby, N Best, Leamy.  Replacements: Flannery, S Best, O'Kelly, Quinlan; Boss, P Wallace, Carney

Italy: Bortolussi; Robertson, Canale, Bergamasco, Pratichetti; De Marigny, Troncon; Parisse, Barbieri, Zanni, Bortolami (captain), Bernabo, Castrogiovanni, Ongaro, Perugini