Ireland have named their squad to face Wales in their opening match of the Six Nations in Dublin on Sunday.

Keith Earls will start at centre in place of Brian O'Driscoll, who will miss the entire tournament after having shoulder surgery.

Jonathan Sexton is named at fly-half in place of Ronan O'Gara, while the pack is the same that faced Wales in the quarter-finals of the World Cup last year.

"Keith is looking forward to it and has played well there for Munster," coach Declan Kidney said.

"Players just want to play so they know they need to adapt. Keith's had a lot of time at 13 and is comfortable there."

Ireland: R Kearney, T Bowe, K Earls, G D'Arcy, A Trimble, J Sexton, C Murray, C Healy, R Best, M Ross, D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell (c), S Ferris, S O'Brien, J Heaslip

Replacements: S Cronin, T Court, D Ryan, P O'Mahony, R O'Gara, E Reddan, F McFadden