Ireland coach, Declan Kidney, handed Irish debuts to young Ulster duo Paddy Jackson and Luke Marshall on Wednesday ahead of Sunday’s Six Nations clash with Scotland at Murrayfield.
The Irish supremo also reinstated Ulster prop, Tom Court at loosehead as he made sweeping changes to the side which lost to England two weeks ago at the Aviva Stadium.
In retaining Rory Best at hooker and Craig Gilroy on the wing, Ulster will now have their biggest representation starting in an Irish team in at least seven years.
Kidney has been known for his ultra conservatism during his time in charge - although from time to time he does move outside the box.
Injuries may have forced Kidney’s hand to a degree with first choice outhalf, Jonathan Sexton and regular first centre choice, Gordon D’Arcy both injured - but few saw the inclusion of Ulster pair, Jackson and Marshall on the starting team to face the Scots.
The 21-year-old pair have come through the ranks together not just at Ulster but in the Irish underage teams and both featured in the convincing win over Fiji during the November series - that being a non-test match.
Kidney’s decision to start Jackson is a bold one, and took most by surprise.
Instead of opting to give Ireland’s most capped player Ronan O’Gara the start against Scotland on Sunday, Kidney chose to blood the young flyhalf and revive the team’s fading title aspirations.
It also served notice that the benched O’Gara’s Test career is coming to a conclusion - the repercussions for him when Sexton returns could signal the end for the 127 capped Munster man.
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