Humphreys to skipper Ireland

Ulster fly-half David Humphreys could be set to skipper a weakened Ireland team against Fiji on Sunday at Lansdowne Road, with some of the stars of Saturday's 18-9 win over Australia set to be rewarded with a rest ahead of their final November Test against Argentina.

Humphreys was on the bench for the Irish on Saturday as Munster's Ronan O'Gara laid on a star kicking performance in the No.10 shirt.

But with Saturday's captain Brian O'Driscoll among those set to be rested, and regular captain Keith Wood missing the match through injury, the way could be paved for Humphreys to take the armband.

The 31-year-old - Ireland's all-time top points scorer with 331 in 46 Tests - was named alongside O'Driscoll and Munster back-row Anthony Foley as one of three vice-captains for the November internationals, and although Foley could figure on Sunday, it is expected that Humphreys will assume the captaincy.

Sunday will also see Humphreys surpass the cap tally of legendary Irish fly-half and fellow Ulsterman Jackie Kyle, who appeared 46 times in the green jersey between 1947-58.

Coach Eddie O'Sullivan has named a squad bereft of some of Saturday's stars for the match, with the likes of London Irish duo Justin Bishop and Kieron Dawson handed a chance to stake a claim for a regular spot, alongside Leicester's Geordan Murphy and Leinster flyer Gordon D'Arcy among others.

Ireland squad to face Fiji:

Forwards: Shane Byrne (Leinster), Leo Cullen (Leinster), Kieron Dawson (London Irish), Anthony Foley (Munster), John Hayes (Munster), Marcus Horan (Munster), Eric Miller (Leinster), Mick O'Driscoll (Munster), Malcolm O'Kelly (Munster), Alan Quinlan (Munster), Frankie Sheahan (Munster), Paul Wallace (Leinster).

Backs: Justin Bishop (London Irish), Guy Easterby (Llanelli), Shane Horgan (Leinster), David Humphreys (Ulster), John Kelly (Munster), Kevin Maggs (Bath), Geordan Murphy (Leicester), Ronan O'Gara (Munster), Peter Stringer (Munster), Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster).