McCarthy handed Ireland debut

Rugby:Mike McCarthy will make his debut for Ireland against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday in a team that will be led by Leinster's Leo Cullen in the absence of Brian O'Driscoll.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has plumped for an unfamiliar line-up for the opening fixture in a four test match run-up to the World Cup. Rob Kearney will place his first competitive game since sustaining a knee injury in November. Paddy Wallace will partner Fergus McFadden in the centre, while Tomas O’Leary will link up with Jonathan Sexton at halfback.

Sean Cronin is named at hooker with Jerry Flannery included among the replacements. A strong and experienced bench also contains the uncapped, Dublin born, Munster fullback Felix Jones.

Ireland:Rob Kearney (Leinster); A Trimble (Ulster), F McFadden (Leinster), P Wallace (Ulster), L Fitzgerald (Leinster); J Sexton (Leinster), T O'Leary (Munster); T Court (Ulster), S Cronin (Leinster), T Buckley (Sale Sharks); D Ryan (Munster), L Cullen (Leinster (capt); M McCarthy (Connacht), N Ronan (Munster), D Leamy (Munster). Replacements:J Flannery (Munster), M Horan (Munster), J Hayes (Munster), M O'Driscoll (Munster), K McLaughlin (Leinster), I Boss (Leinster), F Jones (Munster).