O'Driscoll back for Ireland

Peter Stringer is still struggling with a fractured hand for the RBS 6 Nations clash with England at Croke Park on Saturday.

However, Brian O’Driscoll has been restored to Ireland’s starting line-up for the historic clash.

O’Driscoll missed the 20-17 defeat by France with the hamstring strain he sustained in the championship opener against Wales but has made a full recovery.

The Leinster centre takes over the captaincy from Paul O’Connell with Shane Horgan switching to the right wing and Geordan Murphy dropping out of the squad.

Stringer still struggles with the injury that forced him to miss the Croke Park debut so Ireland have left the scrum-half berth open.

Stringer will be given until later in the week to prove his fitness with Isaac Boss ready to deputise once again should the Munster veteran fail to make it.

Ronan O’Gara suffered an ankle injury against France and missed training last week but has also been included in the team to face England.

Powerful Ulster back Andrew Trimble is preferred to Murphy on the bench.

IRELAND (v England): G Dempsey (Leinster); S Horgan (Leinster), B O’Driscoll (Leinster, capt), G D’Arcy (Leinster), D Hickie (Leinster); R O’Gara (Munster), P Stringer (Munster) or I Boss (Ulster); M Horan (Munster), R Best (Ulster), J Hayes (Munster), D O’Callaghan (Munster), P O’Connell (Munster), S Easterby (Llanelli Scarlets), D Wallace (Munster), D Leamy (Munster).

Replacements: J Flannery (Munster), S Best (Ulster), N Best (Ulster), M O’Driscoll (Munster), I Boss (Ulster) or E Reddan (Wasps), P Wallace (Ulster), A Trimble (Ulster).