ULSTER trio Andrew Trimble, Chris Henry and Luke Marshall have been named in Ireland’s starting line-up to face Scotland when the Six Nations begins this weekend.
Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt made the team announcement today and his selection contained a few surprises.
Most notably, Trimble replaces the injured Tommy Bowe and Marshall is in for Gordon D’Arcy.
"It was a very, very close call," said Schmidt, regarding Marshall's selection.
"I think part of it was that Gordon had a little bit of a stomach bug at the start of the week.
"Because it was a tight call, Luke got a little bit more of the training time and would feel a little bit more comfortable."
Dave Kearney retains his place following his role in Ireland’s defeat to New Zealand, whilst Rob Kearney will earn his 50th cap on Sunday's 3pm fixture in Dublin.
Devin Toner was also named alongside Captain Paul O’Connell, Peter O’Mahony and Jamie Heaslip.
Brian O’Driscoll is included in the squad and will become Ireland's most capped player with 129 caps.
The starting line-up contains seven Leinster, four Ulster and three Munster players. Jonny Sexton of Racing Metro the only non-Ireland-based selection.
Ireland team to face Scotland: Rob Kearney (Leinster); Andrew Trimble (Ulster), Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster), Luke Marshall (Ulster), Dave Kearney (Leinster); Johnny Sexton (Racing Metro), Conor Murray (Munster); Cian Healy (Leinster), Rory Best (Ulster), Mike Ross (Leinster); Devin Toner (Leinster), Paul O'Connell (Munster); Peter O'Mahony (Munster), Chris Henry (Ulster), Jamie Heaslip (Ulster).
Replacements: Jack McGrath (Leinster), Sean Cronin (Leinster), Martin Moore (Leinster), Dan Tuohy (Ulster), Tommy O'Donnell (Munster), Isaac Boss (Leinster), Paddy Jackson (Ulster), Fergus McFadden (Ulster)
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