Six Nations: Holland handed 'A' place

John Kelly’s elevation to the Ireland senior squad has opened the door to an Irish A start for his Munster team-mate Jason Holland.

Centre Kelly was promoted to Eddie O’Sullivan’s squad for the Six Nations clash against Scotland on Saturday after scoring a try in Ireland A’s victory over England A at Northampton on February 15.

While Kelly takes his place on the bench at Lansdowne Road, fellow Munster centre Holland makes his start as one of two new faces in the A sides bid for a second Triple Crown in three years at Ravenhill, Belfast on Friday night.

The other change is in the second row where Leinster lock Bob Casey comes in for the injured Jeremy Davidson.

Team: P Wallace (Ballymena), G D’Arcy (Lansdowne), M Mullins (Young Munster), J Holland (Middleton), T Howe (Dungannon), P Burke (Harlequins), N Doak (Belfast Harlequins); R Corrigan (Lansdowne, capt), P Shields (Ballymena), S Best (Belfast Harlequins), L Cullen (Blackrock), B Casey (Blackrock), A Quinlan (Shannon), K Gleeson (St Mary’s), V Costello (St Mary’s).

Replacements: G Hickie (St Mary’s), M Horan (Shannon), D O’Callaghan (Cork Constitution), A Ward (Balynahinch), B Willis (Blackrock), J Staunton (Garryowen), S Coulter (Belfast Harlequins).