DUBLIN (AFP) - Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan on Tuesday remained loyal to his World Cup flops when he named his team for the Six Nations opener against Italy at Croke Park on Saturday.
O'Sullivan made just four enforced changes from the team that lost 30-15 to Argentina in the final pool game of September's World Cup that killed off any hopes of the Irish progressing to the knock-out phase of the competition.
In the forwards, Rory Best comes in at hooker for the suspended Jerry Flannery, while Malcolm O'Kelly - who will extend his Irish record of caps to 92 - and Donncha O'Callaghan pair up in the second row with Paul O'Connell out injured.
The backline sees Andrew Trimble and Geordan Murphy starting on the wings in the absence of Dennis Hickie (retired) and Shane Horgan, who plays for the 'A' team this weekend on his road back from injury.
"As far as I'm concerned, we picked the best squad, and we've picked the best team," said O'Sullivan, who is under severe pressure to deliver a good campaign or probably face the sack.
"There are guys appearing in the squad for the first time. They're on the bench - they didn't make it into the team but they're very close to it."
O'Sullivan admitted that Ireland's woeful showing in the World Cup, when the team scraped past minnows Namibia (32-17) and Georgia (14-10), but were soundly beaten by France (25-3) and Argentina (30-15), had not been forgotten.
"Of course the shadow of the World Cup still hangs over us but we have to attack the Six Nations," said the coach, who was awarded a four-year contract extension before the World Cup.
"Italy will not be an easy match as they have a new coach (Nick Mallett) and he will bring new ideas. Let us not forget that they came within a kick of making the last eight at the World Cup and eliminating Scotland," added O'Sullivan, who has won just three of his last eight tests.
Eoin Reddan wins the battle for the number nine shirt with Peter Stringer, with the back-in-form Ronan O'Gara starting at outside-half.
Captain Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy play in midfield with Girvan Dempsey at full-back.
O'Driscoll, who is for perhaps the first time in his stellar career under pressure from the press after a series of disappointing performances by his high standards, admitted that they were in need of a good start but shouldn't press the panic button if things did not start well against the Italians.
"It is not worth forcing the issue from the kick-off against the Italians," said the 29-year-old, who wins his 80th cap on Saturday.
"We have to minimise mistakes and build a platform because we are playing a team with a new coach, new ideas and new players.
"It will be a different sort of pressure that we face in that it is not the expectancy of winning but seeing an improvement from the World Cup. I don't think it will affect us any differently."
Up front, the Irish pack includes Llanelli veteran Simon Easterby at blindside flanker alongside Denis Leamy and David Wallace, while John Hayes - who also wins his 80th cap - and Marcus Horan prop up Best.
Team (15-1)
Girvan Dempsey, Andrew Trimble, Gordon D'Arcy, Brian O'Driscoll (capt), Geordan Murphy, Ronan O'Gara, Eoin Reddan, Denis Leamy, David Wallace, Simon Easterby, Malcolm O'Kelly, Donncha O'Callaghan, John Hayes, Rory Best, Marcus Horan
Replacements: Bernard Jackman, Tony Buckley, Mick O'Driscoll, Jamie Heaslip, Peter Stringer, Paddy Wallace, Rob Kearney
