Ireland v Fiji: Teams

Recalled Ireland centre Gordon D'Arcy has admitted that being dropped has only served to spur him on.

The Leinster man returns to the midfield at the RDS to face Fiji on Saturday - and D'Arcy is determined to take his chance.

The 29-year-old, who replaces Paddy Wallace, said: "This is probably the most competitive season, from Leinster right through to Ireland.

"The so-called younger guys now have 15-20 caps, so they're not exactly novices any more.

"They might only be 21, 22 or 23 years old but they can't be called inexperienced. They've all played. They've all won a Grand Slam.

Red-hot

"It's just red-hot competition - which is the way the coaches want it, I suppose.

"Obviously not getting selected is always a tough thing but I always find that spurs you on.

"I tend not to read too much into things. In my career, I've seen that three months can be a long time in rugby.

"Right the way through my career things have been turned on their head like a 2p piece in the space of three months."

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has rejigged his backline for the match with Jonathan Sexton set to make his Test debut and Keith Earls coming in on the wing.

Fiji coach Glen Ella has made five changes to the team that lost 23-10 to Scotland.

Norman Ligairi and Nasoni Roko come into the backline, while Apolosi Satala, Asaike Tarogi and Viliame Seuseu are named in the pack.

Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Shane Horgan, 13 Brian O'Driscoll (captain), 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Denis Leamy, 6 Stephen Ferris, 5 Paul O'Connell, 4 Leo Cullen, 3 John Hayes, 2 Jerry Flannery, 1 Tom Court.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Tony Buckley, 18 Donncha O'Callaghan, 19 Sean O'Brien, 20 Tomas O'Leary, 21 Paddy Wallace, 22 Andrew Trimble.

Fiji: 15 Norman Ligairi, 14 Vereniki Goneva, 13 Gabiriele Lovobalavu, 12 Seremaia Bai (captain), 11 Nasoni Roko, 10 Nicky Little, 9 Mosese Rauluni, 8 Asaeli Boko, 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Apolosi Satala; 5 Ifereimi Rawaqa, 4 Wame Lewaravu, 3 Viliame Seuseu, 2 Viliame Veikoso, 1 Asaike Tarogi.
Replacements: 16 Isireli Ledua, 17 Graham Dewes, 18 Leone Nakarawa, 19 Samu Bola, 20 Waisale Vatuvoka, 21 Josh Matavesi, 22 Timoci Nagusa