O'Connell leads Ireland in home farewell
Coach Joe Schmidt announced a strong side for Saturday's World Cup warm-up match against Wales at Dublin's Lansdowne Road.
O'Connell will form a second row partnership with Iain Henderson, while prop Nathan White is in line for a first Test start after making a debut off the bench in a 28-22 win over Scotland fortnight ago.
Behind the scrum, Schmidt has recalled his first-choice halfback combination – scrumhalf Conor Murray and flyhalf Jonathan Sexton.
The New Zealander has also given Luke Fitzgerald, better known as a wing, a chance to start at outside centre – after he paired the Leinster flyer alongside Robbie Henshaw in a new-look midfield.
Six Nations champions Ireland beat Wales 35-21 in Cardiff nearly three weeks ago, but Warren Gatland, the Wales coach, named a significantly stronger-looking side earlier Thursday.
Ireland conclude their World Cup warm-up campaign away to main tournament hosts England at Twickenham on September 5.
But Saturday's match will be Ireland's last before Schmidt names his final 31-man World Cup squad.
The Irish begin their Pool D campaign against Canada in Cardiff on September, with the group also featuring France, Italy and Romania
Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Dave Kearney, 13 Luke Fitzgerald, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Jordi Murphy, 6 Peter O'Mahony, 5 Paul O'Connell (captain), 4 Iain Henderson, 3 Nathan White, 2 Richardt Strauss, 1 Jack McGrath.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Donnacha Ryan, 20 Sean O'Brien, 21 Eoin Reddan, 22 Paddy Jackson 23 Felix Jones.
Date: Saturday, August 29
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off: 14.30 (13.30 GMT)
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Luke Pearce (England)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)
Agence France-Presse