Munster's Keith Earls will make his Ireland debut at full-back on his home ground this weekend after being named in the team to play Canada at Thomond Park, Limerick on Saturday.

Earls is joined in the back three by Tommy Bowe and Robert Kearney while coach Declan Kidney has opted for a new midfield combination which features Luke Fitzgerald alongside captain Brian O'Driscoll.

Up front, Ireland's new-look front-row sees Marcus Horan, Jerry Flannery and Tony Buckley all starting an international together for the first time. Stephen Ferris is named on the blindside for the game alongside Shane Jennings on the other flank and Jamie Heaslip continues where he left off during the June tour, where Ireland were in contention against both New Zealand and Australia before losing both Tests, by retaining his No 8 place.

This match is the first of three Tests this month for Ireland before they face New Zealand and Argentina, at Dublin's Croke Park on November 15 and November 22 respectively.

Kidney is due to confirm his bench on Thursday.

Ireland team announced Tuesday to play Canada in Saturday's rugby union international at Thomond Park, Limerick (1715GMT):

(15-1):

Keith Earls (Munster); Tommy Bowe (Ospreys), Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster, capt); Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster), Robert Kearney (Leinster); Ronan O'Gara (Munster), Eoin Reddan (Wasps/ENG); Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Shane Jennings (Leinster), Stephen Ferris (Ulster); Paul O'Connell (Munster), Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster); Tony Buckley (Munster), Jerry Flannery (Munster), Marcus Horan (Munster)

Replacements to be selected from the following eight:

Rory Best (Ulster), John Hayes (Munster), Ryan Caldwell (Ulster), Alan Quinlan (Munster), David Wallace (Munster), Paddy Wallace (Ulster), Peter Stringer (Munster), Shane Horgan (Leinster)

AFP