Ireland boss Declan Kidney has named an unchanged starting line-up for Saturday's RBS 6 Nations meeting with Scotland at Croke Park.
However, Gordon D'Arcy remains a doubt for the game on account of "deep bruising" which he sustained to his leg during last weekend's win over Wales. A final decision will be made on the Leinster centre's participation on Friday.
Should D'Arcy be forced to drop out, Ulster centre Paddy Wallace will start alongside Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll in midfield.
Elsewhere, Keith Earls has been given the all-clear to play despite suffering from tightness in his calves earlier in the week. In addition, flanker David Wallace is suffering no ill-affects from the eye injury he sustained against Wales, while Cian Healy has recovered from a shoulder injury to take his place in the front row.
Meanwhile, Geordan Murphy has again been preferred to Rob Kearney at full-back, while Jonathan Sexton will continue at fly-half despite his poor goal-kicking display against the Welsh.
A victory over the Scots will see Ireland lift the Triple Crown in what is the final game of their temporary tenancy at Croke Park.
Ireland: G Murphy; T Bowe, B O'Driscoll (capt), G D'Arcy, K Earls; J Sexton, T O'Leary; C Healy, R Best, J Hayes; D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell; S Ferris, D Wallace, J Heaslip.
Replacements: S Cronin, T Buckley, L Cullen, S Jennings, E Reddan, R O'Gara, R Kearney.