Scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park will get some much-needed game time ahead of the match with world champions South Africa on Saturday week as he starts for Ireland in their Nations Championship Test with Fiji.
The 34-year-old, who has played just once for Leinster this season and came on as a replacement in Ireland's 42-12 victory over Argentina last week, partners Sam Prendergast at halfback for Saturday's match at Lansdowne Road.
Prendergast produced perhaps his best performance at fly-half for his country in the rout of the Pumas, capping it with a brilliant individual try.
Tadhg Beirne will captain the side, the veteran stepping in for Dan Sheehan, who has been ruled out because of concussion.
Coach Andy Farrell made seven changes to the starting XV that lined up against the Pumas but said he did not think it would affect the team's rhythm.
"I don't think there's that many changes," he said at his press conference.
"There's a few that we would have had to have made, but I think in this game in particular I like the look of the team.
"I wouldn't say it's an experimental team by any stretch of the imagination, this is a good side that should perform on Saturday."
Mack Hansen, flanker Ryan Baird and prop Andrew Porter start for the second successive match as they are relatively fresh having returned to the Test side last Friday after nearly a year's absence.
Hansen, though, switches from the wing to fullback as Farrell rests Hugo Keenan after he starred in the Argentina match, scoring a hat-trick of tries.
"I think whatever position you see Mack play, he'll just be himself," said Farrell.
"There are not many wingers that play like Mack does. He always goes roaming for the ball and tries to make a difference no matter what position he plays and we've certainly seen him do that for us as well at fullback."
Hansen's move to fullback means Robert Baloucoune and Tommy O'Brien are reunited on the wings -- they linked up brilliantly in the Six Nations, scoring five tries between them in the victories over England and Scotland earlier this year.
They will be optimistic of adding to their tally against a Fiji side that shipped 54 points against France last weekend and is anchored at the bottom of the southern hemisphere table.
Farrell has resisted bringing in a specialist No 8 with three already injured -- regular captain Caelan Doris, Jack Conan and Sean Jansen. Instead it is Nick Timoney who moves from flanker to fill the void.
Fiji's South African coach Jake White made sweeping changes to his starting XV, retaining just six of the side whipped by France.
Only two of the backs kept their places -- both the wings Selestino Ravutaumada and Jiuta Wainiqolo, who play for Top 14 sides Racing 92 and Lyon respectively.
Ravutaumada's clubmate, the vastly experienced Josua Tuisova, comes in among the centres.
Ireland are presently third in the northern hemisphere table with two matches remaining before the Nations Championship reaches its climax with finals weekend at Twickenham at the end of the month.
Teams (15-1)
Ireland
Mack Hansen; Robert Baloucoune, Jamie Osborne, Bundee Aki, Tommy O'Brien; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Nick Timoney, Josh van der Flier, Ryan Baird; Tadhg Beirne (capt), James Ryan; Tadhg Furlong, Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter
Replacements: Tom Stewart, Tom O'Toole, Sam Illo, Darragh Murray, James McNabney, Craig Casey, Ciaran Frawley, Stuart McCloskey
Coach: Andy Farrell (ENG)
Fiji
Ponipate Loganimasi; Selestino Ravutaumada, Setareki Bituniyata, Josua Tuisova, Jiuta Wainiqolo; Ben Volavola, Frank Lomani; Peceli Yato (capt), Lekima Tagitagivalu, Mesake Vocevoce; Isoa Nasilasila, Joseva Tamani; Luke Tagi, Tevita Ikanivere, Peni Ravai
Replacements: Zuriel Togiatama, Vilikesa Nairau, Inoke Ravuiwasa, Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata, Terio Tamani, Caleb Muntz, Iosefo Masi
Coach: Jake White (RSA)
pi/gj
