Chris Henry will captain the O2 Ireland Wolfhounds when they face the England Saxons in Exeter on Saturday.
The Ulster back row has been handed the opportunity to skipper his country in a squad that fears nine players uncapped a senior level.
The management team have opted for a mix of youth and experience with Gavin Duffy set to start at the back, while David Kearney and Simon Zebo have been named on the wings.
There is a new centre partnership in the share of Nevin Spence and Eoin O'Malley, with Ian Keatley and Isaac Boss teaming up in the half-back line.
Damien Varley starts at hooker alongside Brett Wilkinson and Stephen Archer. The second row teams Dan Tuohy, Mike McCarthy and John Muldoon, while Rhys Ruddock will wear the number eight jersey.
The team will be looking to impress Ireland coach Declan Kidney before he finalises his Six Nations squad on Monday and O2 Ireland Wolfhounds coach Eric Elwood believes the starting XV will be up for the challenge.
“The games against the Saxons are always highly competitive affairs as you would expect and results have tended to go with the home side, but I think we have a good mix in our side and the key message is that we have to match them on all fronts, especially in the physical stakes, to come away with a win," Elwood said.
“Eoin (O’Malley) and Nevin have done well over the last couple of days as a pairing and I am looking forward to see how both Simon (Zebo) and David Kearney travel on the wings after a good couple of weeks for them with their provinces.
“We have a touch more experience in our pack, which I think will be important for this game and good spine through it with Dan Touhy and Mike McCarthy giving us some really good ability across the set piece and in the carrying stakes to compliment a back row that I think can make a good impression.
“I would expect a really good atmosphere for the game and I know the players are looking forward to it.”
O2 Ireland Wolfhounds: G Duffy; D Kearney, E O'Malley, N Spence, S Zebo; I Keatley, Isaac Boss; B Wilkinson, D Varley, S Archer, D Tuohy, M McCarthy, J Muldoon, C Henry, R Ruddock.
Replacements: M Sherry, R Loughney, D Toner, K McLaughlin, T O'Leary, I Madigan, D Hurley.