Keith Earls has been forced to withdraw from Ireland's RBS Six Nations clash with Wales on Sunday.
Earls was named as Brian O'Driscoll's replacement at outside-centre for the Aviva Stadium clash, but the Munster man has been forced to pull out of the match for family reasons.
Fergus McFadden has been prompted from the bench and will partner Gordon D'Arcy at centre with David Kearney, brother of full-back Rob, coming into the match-day squad.
Earls and his partner Edel welcomed their first child last week and after his daughter Ella-Maye became ill the player made the decision to pull out of this weekend's match.
"There has been one late change to the Irish team, Fergus McFadden has come in as a replacement for Keith Earls, who has been ruled out due to personal reasons," Ireland team manager Michael Kearney told a press conference.
"Unfortunately Keith's baby has been taken ill and is in hospital as we speak. The nature of the illness is unclear, however I did speak to Keith this morning and he was hopeful and optimistic that the baby would get home sometime over the weekend.
"The decision was taken following a conversation with Declan [Kidney] and Keith yesterday and it was thought that it was in the best interests of Keith and his partner and their families that Keith remains in Limerick for the weekend.
"Fergus comes in, instead of Keith, and David Kearney has taken Fergus' place on the replacements bench."
Revised Ireland squad: R Kearney; T Bowe, F McFadden, 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, D Kearney