Johnny Sexton has been named at out-half for Saturday evening's clash with France at the Aviva.
The Racing Metro number 10 hasn't played since November following a concussive head injury.
Jamie Heaslip and Sean O'Brien are in the back row, meaning Tommy O'Donnell is out of the match-day 23 and Jordi Murphy goes to the bench.
Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has selected Rory Best at hooker, with the Ulster man having recovered from concussion.
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IRELAND (v France)
15. Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
14. Tommy Bowe (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
13. Jared Payne (Ulster)
12. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)
11. Simon Zebo (Cork Con/Munster)
10. Johnny Sexton (Racing Metro)
9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)
8. Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster)
7. Sean O'Brien (UCD/Leinster)
6. Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster)
5. Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster) captain
4. Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster)
3. Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
2. Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
1. Jack McGrath (St Mary's College/Leinster)
Replacements:
16. Sean Cronin (St Mary's College/Leinster)
17. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)
18. Martin Moore (Lansdowne/Leinster)
19. Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
20. Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
21. Isaac Boss (Terenure/Leinster)
22. Ian Madigan (Blackrock/Leinster)
23. Felix Jones (Shannon/Munster)
Ireland Team v France. Welcome back Johnny, @jamieheaslip & @ProperChurch on the bench #ShoulderToShoulder pic.twitter.com/TZhbqn8JTX
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 12, 2015
