Leinster's Devin Toner will win his first senior cap as he packs down in the second row alongside the experienced Donncha O'Callaghan.

Ireland have selected an all new front row with Tom Court, Sean Cronin and John Hayes selected to start.

Denis Leamy and Sean O'Brien are called into the back row to play alongside Jamie Heaslip who retains the number 8 jersey.

Luke Fitzgerald makes the switch from wing to full-back, with Andrew Trimble coming into the vacant left wing position.

Paddy Wallace also comes into the team at inside centre to partner captain Brian O'Driscoll, and Ronan O'Gara and Peter Stringer, both used as replacements against South Africa, will form the starting half-back combination.

"I'm delighted to be selected...over the moon. I'm just excited now and can't wait for the game," said Toner

"I found out yesterday when the team was announced. I wasn't told beforehand, so I got a bit of a shock.

"I've been involved in Irish squads before. You're always kind of hoping to get selected. When I saw the four games for this series, I was hopeful (of getting a first cap).

"I'm very pleased to get the call and just looking forward to playing now."

The replacements bench will be finalised after training on Thursday.

IRELAND Team:
Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster), Tommy Bowe (Ospreys), Brian O'Driscoll (UCD/Leinster) (capt), Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster), Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster), Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster), Peter Stringer (Shannon/Munster), Tom Court (Malone/Ulster), Sean Cronin (Buccaneers/Connacht), John Hayes (Bruff/Munster), Donncha O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster), Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster), Denis Leamy (Cork Constitution/Munster), Sean O'Brien (St. Mary's College/Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster).

Gordon D'Arcy has warned South Africa that Ireland will be doing the bullying at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

The Irish are hoping to avoid a fourth successive Test defeat in the opening fixture of their gruelling four-match autumn schedule.

South Africa are famed for their muscular approach but D'Arcy, who will be winning his 50th cap, insists Ireland will not be cowed.

"We're not really looking at them as the world champions," he said.

"We are looking at them as South Africa. A physical, physical, physical team.

"Not as the world champions, but as a massive team that are coming to bully you in your own back yard.

"There's a bit of an adjustment in your mentality. You know you are meeting fire with fire.

"The only way to face these guys is to stand toe to toe with them. If there is any bullying to be done, we will do it."

Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll has stated that his perennial centre partner will lead the team out on Saturday, but D'Arcy is keen to avoid the limelight.

"It's just a number. You can be sure I won't be leading the team out," he said.

"I suppose now I'm just happy playing rugby. I was probably more comfortable with the attention a few years ago.

"It makes me very, very uncomfortable now. I've nothing new to say.

"There are a lot of lads on the team closing in on the hundred cap mark, which is probably much more of an achievement.

"I've been around the same amount of time as them and have half the number of caps."

D'Arcy admits that having played alongside O'Driscoll for most of his professional career, the pair have developed a superb understanding.

"I know the guy inside out," said the 30-year-old Leinster and Lions back.

"It's probably the one partnership where the level of communication is lower than in most cases because we read body language.

"We trust each other implicitly. He knows if he comes out I'll swing in behind and vice versa.

"He knows if I'm going to hit him with a pass or not. After 12 years you'd hope that's the case.

"When we started playing he was at 13 and I was on the wing. We were always playing besides each other.

WINNERS

Mike Ross -- A run of games for Leinster has showcased his scrummaging power and brought on the other aspects of his game.

Damien Varley -- Has made giant strides in the last 12 months, filling the considerable void created by Jerry Flannery's injury problems.

Devin Toner -- Another to benefit from game-time with Leinster, gets his chance due to Paul O'Connell's injury and delayed return of Leo Cullen.

John Muldoon -- Has made a strong return from injury sustained in the summer against the All Blacks.

Isaac Boss -- International return sparked by eye-catching displays for Leinster and the injury to Tomas O'Leary.

Johne Murphy -- Superb for Munster, versatility a valuable asset for Kidney.

Shane Horgan -- Strong showing against Saracens, experience and physicality still in demand.

losers

Jamie Hagan -- Shining for Connacht but loses out to familiarity and experience of Hayes.

Dan Tuohy -- Strong summer tour but has lacked opportunities with Ulster.

Shane Jennings -- Sean O'Brien's stunning form at open-side squeezes out fellow Leinster back-row.

Niall Ronan -- Not enough room for natural No 7 despite strong displays for Munster.

Fionn Carr -- Ireland's most exciting attacker misses out due to physicality focus for November.

Denis Hurley -- Just beginning to make his presence felt with Munster, but Horgan's experience wins out.

back soon

Leo Cullen -- A full 80 minutes this weekend could yet see second-row feature against South Africa.

Tomas O'Leary -- Hopefully back for latter part of series.

Luke Fitzgerald -- A key player who will be brought back in once his hip injury clears up.

Geordan Murphy -- Excellent for Leicester last weekend, English club commitments rule him out of South Africa opener.

FINGERS CROSSED

Jerry Flannery -- Cursed by calf injury, medical assessment will determine November involvement.

Following consultation with the provincial branches and various constituent clubs, the Irish Rugby Football Union has announced amended linked ticket packages for the GUINNESS Series of games in November, which will see Ireland play South Africa, Samoa, New Zealand and Argentina.

Clubs will now have the option to break up their allocation into two separate linked packages, South Africa/Samoa and New Zealand/Argentina.

Clubs will receive their quota of tickets for all four international matches in the GUINNESS Series as a single package, but have the option to distribute them to individual members within the club on a linked basis for the South Africa/Samoa and New Zealand/Argentina games.

All international match tickets are distributed through the provincial branches and clubs of Ireland.

Any tickets that are not taken up through the clubs will be made available through the Irish Rugby Supporters Club and following that, made available for public sale.