All change for O'Sullivan

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has selected David Humphreys and made the Ulster fly-half captain for their match against Romania on Saturday.

David Humphreys: Ireland's new captain

Humphreys will be served by Ulster team-mate Kieran Campbell from scrum-half, with both Peter Stringer and Ronan O'Gara dropping to the bench.

Humphreys was always in line for a call-up, but Campbell will be winning only his third cap for his country after his June debut against Japan.

There are also changes in the pack, with Simon Easterby finally getting to rest his battered body. Neil Best takes his place on the flank.

Simon Best replaces John Hayes at prop and Leo Cullen deputises in the second row for Malcolm O'Kelly.

Rory Best would also have been in line for a start, but he was ruled out with injury on Monday. Shane Byrne therefore continues at hooker, with Munster's Jerry Flannery as reserve hooker on the bench.

Ireland are yet to win this November, but should be on course for a victory even against a strong and improving Romanian side.

"They are no mugs," said O'Sullivan.

"At least 12 of their team play regularly in France, and their whole pack plays at the top level there.

"We hoped to give some guys a go who weren't involved over the last two games but injuries limited that. We wanted to get some new players on the pitch.

"I wanted to look again at the way Andrew Trimble and Gordon D'Arcy played together because they looked very good as a partnership against Australia.

"The back row have also been playing very well. Denis Leamy has been the success of the autumn internationals and his chemistry with Johnny O'Connor is good. We're trying to build for the Six Nations."

Ireland: 15 Geordan Murphy, 14 Shane Horgan, 13 Andrew Trimble, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Tommy Bowe, 10 David Humphreys (c), 9 Kieran Campbell, 8 Denis Leamy, 7 Jonny O'Connor, 6 Neil Best, 5 Leo Cullen, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 Simon Best, 2 Shane Byrne, 1 Marcus Horan.
Replacements: 16 Jerry Flannery, 17 John Hayes, 18 Mick O'Driscoll, 19 Simon Easterby, 20 Peter Stringer, 21 Ronan O'Gara, 22 Girvan Dempsey.

Date: Saturday, November 26
Kick-off: 12:30 local and GMT
Venue: Lansdowne Road, Dublin
Referee: Andrew Cole (Australia)
Touch judges: Nigel Whitehouse (Wales), Peter Allen (Scotland)
Television match official: Huw Watkins (Wales)