Andy Farrell rings the changes as Ireland name team for Six Nations finale against Scotland

There are also several alterations to the bench, including a recall for the suspension-free Bundee Aki and rookie lock Darragh Murray.

The Irish eventually got the better of the Welsh 27-17 last Friday night in Dublin to set up a Round Five weekend where a win over the Scots can retain the Triple Crown and lift them to the top of the table before title favourites France host England on Saturday night.

Farrell has now reacted by confirming a team showing one backline change and three to his starting pack. Tommy O'Brien, who inspired off the bench in the Round Three win over England as an early first-half sub for James Lowe, has been chosen to start on the left wing with Jacob Stockdale omitted.

O'Brien joins an Ireland back three featuring Jamie Osborne at full-back and Robert Baloucoune on the right wing. Garry Ringrose will continue in the midfield with Stuart McCloskey, with Jack Crowley and Jamison Gibson-Park the preferred half-backs.

Switching to the pack, the rested Dan Sheehan has been recalled at hooker with Ronan Kelleher dropping to the bench and Tom Stewart, a sub last weekend, missing out.

Sheehan will be in the middle of a front-row that includes veteran tighthead Tadhg Furlong and converted loosehead Tom O'Toole, who will again be covered off the bench by Michael Milne. The tighthead cover will be provided on this occasion by Finlay Bealham, with Thomas Clarkson excluded.

In the second-row, a calf injury has ruled out James Ryan from the selection, clearing the way for Joe McCarthy to return to the starting line-up after his bench role versus the Welsh. His spot in the subs goes to Murray, the two-cap lock from Connacht, who is in line for a first Six Nations appearance.

The starting back-row also shows one change, with Josh van der Flier rotated back into the No.7 jersey to play alongside Jack Conan and skipper Caelan Doris, and Nick Timoney switched to the bench where the split between forwards and backs is again five/three.

Ciaran Frawley is the only of the three sub backs to keep his spot as Craig Casey comes back in for Nathan Doak, the scrum-half who made his Test debut last weekend covering Gibson-Park, while Aki takes over from Tom Farrell.

It is Aki's first involvement on the match day since last November's Nations Series clash with South Africa. He copped a four-match ban at the end of January for unacceptable behaviour towards the match officials in the Connacht versus Leinster match.

That resulted in him being available for Ireland's three matches in February. While he trained in the build-up to the Welsh match, it is only now that he has made it back into the selection.

"It is an incredible privilege for the squad to play at home in front of a packed Aviva Stadium with a trophy up for grabs," said head coach Farrell.

"We know about the challenge facing us on Saturday, and Scotland will travel with confidence. You'll see two teams who like to attack and we'll look to implement our game plan to get the performance that we want.

"When you factor in a loud home support, and with the game taking place on St Patrick's weekend, it really has all the ingredients for a cracking contest."

Ireland team to face Scotland

Ireland: 15 Jamie Osborne, 14 Robert Baloucoune, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Tommy O'Brien, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris (c), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Jack Conan, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Tom O'Toole

Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Michael Milne, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Darragh Murray, 20 Nick Timoney, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Ciaran Frawley, 23 Bundee Aki

Date: Saturday, March 14

Kick-off: 16:10 SAST

Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin

Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)

Assistant Referees: Angus Gardner (RA), Damian Schneider (UAR)

TMO: Andrew Jackson (RFU)

FPRO: Ian Tempest (RFU)

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