Jack Conan to make test debut

Leinster Flanker Jack Conan will make his Test debut in Ireland's World Cup warm-up clash against Scotland in Dublin.

The 23 year-old will have his chance to state his case for World Cup selection, but faces a tall order with some six other starters perceived to be on the squad’s fringes also given opportunities to stake their claims for a spot in Joe Schmidt’s final 31-man squad.

Sean O'Brien captains Ireland for the first time from number eight.

Ian Madigan has his chance at fly-half, while wing Simon Zebo gets a run at full-back in his bid to convince head coach Joe Schmidt he is versatile enough to warrant a World Cup slot.

Scrum-half Isaac Boss, prop Dave Kilcoyne, lock Dan Tuohy and Conan are the other Ireland squad men thrown the World Cup gauntlet by boss Schmidt.

Ireland's regular captain Paul O'Connell is named the bench.

Prop Mike Ross is the only player to retain his place from last weekend's 35-21 victory in Wales, the Leinster tighthead again extending his record as the only man to feature in every Test of the Joe Schmidt era.

Tommy O'Donnell's World Cup-dashing hip dislocation against Wales might clear the back-row agenda somewhat, but 23-year-old Conan remains a long-shot for ultimate selection.

Ireland must name their final 31-man squad on August 31, with Schmidt having started the culling process this week by releasing Rob Herring and Noel Reid.

O'Brien, Jamie Heaslip and Peter O'Mahony are nailed-on for final selection as Ireland's starting back-row, with Chris Henry and Jordi Murphy the likely additions.

That means Conan will need to make a significant impression on his debut to alter the thinking of Ireland's coaching staff at this stage.

New Zealand-born prop Michael Bent will win his fourth cap if called into action off the bench as expected.

The 29-year-old Leinster front-rower's ability to operate on both sides of the scrum puts him in pole position to claim the fifth and potentially final prop berth in Ireland's World Cup ranks.

However Connacht's Nathan White, also in contention for a place in Ireland’s front row, will be itching for his Test debut off the bench.

The 33-year-old will become Ireland's third-oldest debutant of all time if he joins the fray on Saturday.

The full Ireland team can be found below:

15. Simon Zebo 14. Tommy Bowe 13. Jared Payne 12. Gordon D’Arcy 11. Luke Fitzgerald 10. Ian Madigan 9. Isaac Boss 8. Sean O’Brien 7. Chris Henry 6. Jack Conant 5. Devin Toner 4. Dan Tuohy 3. Mike Ross 2. Sean Cronin 1. Dave Kicoyne

Replacements: Richardt Strauss, Michael Bent, Nathan White, Paul O’Connell, Jordi Murphy, Eoin Redden, Paddy Jackson, David Kearney.