Declan Kidney has kept with the starting XV that were set to lineout against France for Saturday's RBS Six Nations tie against Italy at the Aviva Stadium.
It has been three weeks since Ireland last kicked a ball competitively after the match against France was called off just minutes before the scheduled kick-off time due to a frozen pitch at the Stade de France.
Keith Earls had been due to return to the starting XV in Paris after missing the opener against Wales due to his newborn daughter's illness and he will now get the chance to demonstrated his ability at centre when he starts alongside Gordon D'Arcy, who will earn his 65th cap for Ireland.
Rob Kearney continues at full-back with Tommy Bowe and Andrew Trimble named on the wings. Jonathan Sexton was struggling with a slight groin strain in the days leading up to the abandoned match but he has declared himself fit and he will once again start ahead of Ronan O'Gara at fly-half with Conor Murray selected at scrum-half.
Donncha O'Callaghan starts in the second row where he will partner captain Paul O'Connell, while Cian Healy, Rory Best and Mike Ross continue up front with Ferris, Sean O'Brien and J Heaslip completing the pack.
Ireland (XV v Italy): 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, S Ferris, S O'Brien, J Heaslip.
Replacements: S Cronin, T Court, D Ryan, P O'Mahony, E Reddan, R O'Gara, F McFadden.