Ireland include doubtful pairing

Eddie O'Sullivan has named both Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy in his starting line-up for Ireland's match away at Scotland on Saturday, despite injury clouds hanging over both.

Both players were monitored for hamstring injuries on Monday, and have been declared fit for Saturday - although not before.

Ireland's only change is the insertion of London Wasps Johnny O'Connor for Denis Leamy. O'Connor will win his third cap.

"Brian and Gordon both had scans on Monday night, and things were not as bad as we thought," O'Sullivan told BBC Sport.

"Both have mild strains and we will give them as long as they need to recover."

O'Driscoll arrived home on crutches on Monday, although that was mainly for support.

"It is only 48 hours since the game itself and with a six-day turnaround before the next match, I'm not about to pull the trigger just yet," added O'Sullivan.

"You have to give the guys every chance to fully recover."

Kevin Maggs is the stand-out candidate to replace D'Arcy, but O'Driscoll's place is more open. Shane Horgan is a possible to move in from the wing, leaving the way open for Ulster's Tommy Bowe to get into the team.

Ireland: 15 Geordan Murphy, 14 Shane Horgan, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Dennis Hickie, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Peter Stringer, 8 Anthony Foley, 7 JohnnyO'Connor, 6 Simon Easterby, 5 Paul O'Connell, 4 Malcolm O'Kelly, 3 John Hayes, 2 Shane Byrne, 1 Reggie Corrigan.
Replacements: 16 Frankie Sheahan, 17 Marcus Horan, 18 Donncha O'Callaghan, 19 Eric Miller, 20 Guy Easterby, 21 David Humphreys, 22 Girvan Dempsey.

Kick-off: 16.00 GMT