Brian O'Driscoll will become rugby's most capped Test player when he plays his 140th game against Italy on Saturday.

The Ireland centre already shares the record with former Wallabies scrumhalf George Gregan, and will have the honour of breaking it in front of his home crowd at Lansdowne Road. The game will also mark O'Driscoll's last Test in Ireland, as he will retire at the end of the Six Nations.

In other team news, Ireland flyhalf Jonathan Sexton has overcome a thumb injury and will start against Italy this Saturday. Sexton damaged ligaments during Ireland's recent defeat to England, and has been listed as doubtful to recover ever since.

In the only change to the Ireland starting side, Iain Henderson replaces Peter O'Mahony at blindside flank. O'Mahony is currently battling a hamstring injury.

Meanwhile, Italy No 8 Sergio Parisse has been rested for Saturday's match, with lock Marco Bortolami captaining the side.

Ireland – 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Dave Kearney, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Chris Henry, 6 Iain Henderson, 5 Paul O'Connell (c), 4 Devin Toner, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best, 1 Cian Healy.
Subs: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Martin Moore, 19 Rhys Ruddock, 20 Jordi Murphy, 21 Eoin Reddan, 22 Paddy Jackson, 23 Fergus McFadden.

Italy – 15 Luke McLean, 14 Angelo Esposito, 13 Michele Campagnaro, 12 Gonzalo Garcia, 11 Leonardo Sarto, 10 Luciano Orquera, 9 Tito Tebaldi, 8 Robert Barbieri, 7 Paul Derbyshire, 6 Joshua Furno, 5 Marco Bortolami (c), 4 Quentin Geldenhuys, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Alberto de Marchi.
Subs: 16 David Giazzon, 17 Michele Rizzo, 18 Lorenzo Cittadini, 19 Antonio Pavanello, 20 Manoa Vosawai, 21 Edoardo Gori, 22 Tommaso Allan, 23 Andrea Masi.

Photo: Peter Muhly/AFP Photo