The Irish selectors have made six changes and a positional switch from the team which defeated Romania last week.

Kevin Maggs and Girvan Dempsey replace Pat Duignan and Darragh O'Mahony at centre and left wing respectively, while Conor McGuinness takes over from Ciaran Scally at scrum half.

In the front row, Justin Fitzpatrick comes in as Peter Clohessy switches from loose-head prop to take over from the injured Paul Wallace at tight-head. As expected, Keith Wood returns at hooker at the expense of Allen Clarke.

In the back row, Dion O'Cuinneagain comes into the team instead of Eric Miller, who has been ruled out with concussion.

As well as Miller and Wallace, other players not considered because of injury are flanker Trevor Brennan and wing Denis Hickie, both of St Mary's College.

Ireland suffered two defeats against the Springboks on their summer tour of South Africa last season, with the hosts coming under fire for their aggressive tactics.

However, Irish coach Warren Gatland does not believe any bad blood will spill over into the Dublin confrontation.

"We're not looking on this as a grudge match," he said.

"We'll be physical all right but we will also be disciplined.

"But having said that, if there is any trouble, we won't be taking any backward steps either."

Team manager Donal Lenihan said that there was no question of relieving Paddy Johns of the captaincy just because Keith Wood was restored and defended the selection of Eric Elwood at fly half.

"As long as Paddy was selected in the team, he was always going to be the skipper, while Eric gives us the type of leadership we're looking for," said Lenihan.

"This will be his third successive game in as many weeks and, after a seven week lay-off with knee ligament damage, we reckon that he needs the match practice."

Ireland: C O'Shea (London Irish); J Bishop (London Irish), J Bell (Dungannon), K Maggs (Bath), G Dempsey (Terenure College); E Elwood (Galwegians), C McGuinness (St Mary's College); J Fitzpatrick (Dungannon), K Wood (Harlequins), P Clohessy (Young Munster), P Johns (Saracens capt), M O'Kelly (London Irish), D O'Cuinneagain (Sale), A Ward (Ballynahinch), V Costello (St Mary's College).