Ireland v All Blacks: Teams

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has made six changes for Saturday's clash with New Zealand - including handing a surprise start to Tomas O'Leary.

The 25-year-old has been given the nod at scrum-half ahead of Eoin Reddan, who drops to the bench after starting last weekend's 55-0 win over Canada.

O'Leary, who has just one international cap to his name, was sidelined for that match due to a foot injury but has impressed this year for Munster.

Ronan O'Gara will start alongside his club colleague at fly-half, while the experienced Girvan Dempsey takes over at full-back from Keith Earls.

Kidney has also made some alterations to his pack, starting in the front row where prop John Hayes and hooker Rory Best replace Tony Buckley and Jerry Flannery.

Chance

Despite impressing against the Canucks at Thomond Park, Ulster's Stephen Ferris and Leinster's Shane Jennings are both dropped to the bench.

In their places in the back row come Alan Quinlan at blindside flanker and his Munster team-mate David Wallace, who will wear the number seven jersey.

"The changes weren't easy because the boys did well against Canada at the weekend," Kidney said, admitting the line-up was set up to face the All Blacks.

"We have selected a team with a skill set that gives us the best possible chance on Saturday.

"New Zealand are the Tiger Woods of world rugby, they're an extremely good side.

"This is probably the toughest time to play them. They have the objective of winning a Grand Slam tour. We have no illusions as to how hard it will be but we want to test ourselves against the best."

McCaw, Carter return

Centre Brian O'Driscoll will lead the team for the 50th time as the Irish go in search of their first victory over the All Blacks in 22 Tests.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry has recalled his star names for Saturday's tip to Croke Park.

Having named a largely second-string side to tackle Scotland, Henry has opted to make wholesale changes to the side, with Joe Rokocoko, Ali Williams, Keven Mealamu and Ma'a Nonu the only survivors from Murrayfield.

That means captain Richie McCaw and fly-half Dan Carter are among the players returning for what Henry believes will be a stern test.

"The Irish showed passion and physicality when they played us in New Zealand earlier in the year and we are expecting another tough Test match," Henry said.

Full-back Mils Muliaina, winger Sitiveni Sivivatu, centre Conrad Smith and scrum-half Jimmy Cowan return to the backline, while in the forwards Henry has also recalled Rodney So'oialo, Jerome Kaino, Brad Thorn, Neemia Tialata and Tony Woodcock.

Ireland: 15 G Dempsey (Leinster); 14 T Bowe (Ospreys), 13 B O'Driscoll (Leinster, capt), 12 L Fitzgerald (Leinster), 11 R Kearney (Leinster); 10 R O'Gara (Munster), 9 T O'Leary (Munster); 1 M Horan (Munster), 2 R Best (Ulster), 3 J Hayes (Munster), 4 D O'Callaghan (Munster), 5 P O'Connell (Munster), 6 A Quinlan (Munster), 7 D Wallace (Munster), 8 J Heaslip (Leinster)
Replacements: J Flannery (Munster), T Buckley (Munster), S Ferris (Ulster), S Jennings (Leinster), E Reddan (Wasps), P Wallace (Ulster), K Earls (Munster).

New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 John Afoa, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Kieran Read, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Isaia Toeava.