Ireland go into Saturday's one-off Test against Romania without their departed Lions but determined to continue their strong Six Nations form.

Skipper Keith Wood, Jeremy Davidson and second row partner Malcolm O'Kelly will be absent from Ireland's pack in Bucharest, while Ronan O'Gara, Rob Henderson and Brian O'Driscoll leave a huge void in the backs.

The absence of such key figures will make it difficult for Ireland to reproduce their sparkling Six Nations form against one of European rugby's minnows, but it also hands fringe players the chance to impress.

Ireland were unbeaten and tipped to give all-conquering England a run for their money in a Six Nations decider at Twickenham before the foot and mouth epidemic forced the abandonment of the tournament.

But the incoming players will be hell bent on maintaining the momentum gathered this season with European Cup winner Geordan Murphy set to start at full-back. The 23-year-old Leicester winger last played at number 15 for Ireland against Japan last year.

Bath's Kevin Maggs and Mike Mullins of Young Munster have the unenviable task of replacing Ireland's brilliant midfield partnership of centres Henderson and O'Driscoll.

The latter is expected to blaze a trail with the Lions Down Under.

David Humphreys of Dungannon is also recalled at stand-off in place of Lions tourist O'Gara.

Cork Constitution's Frank Sheahan steps in for hooker Wood and Munster lock Mick Galwey is picked to lead his country in their first-ever Test in Romania.

The east Europeans have been severely weakened themselves. Skipper and scrum-half Petre Mitu has a crucial club match with French side Aurillac, flanker Alexandru Manta is suspended and prop Dragos Dima has a French championship semi-final date for Castres against Toulouse.

Romania have lost five of their previous six Tests against Ireland with one match ending in a draw.

Ireland team: G Murphy (Leicester); D Hickie (St Mary's College), M Mullins (Young Munster), K Maggs (Bath), T Howe (Dungannon); D Humphreys (Dungannon), P Stringer (Shannon); A Foley (Shannon), K Dawson (London Irish), E Miller (Terenure), G Longwell (Ballymena), M Galwey (Shannon), J Hayes (Shannon), F Sheahan (Cork), P Clohessy (Young Munster).

Replacements (from): S Byrne (Blackrock), J Fitzpatrick (Dungannon), M O'Driscoll (Cork Con), D Wallace (Garryowen), A Ward (Ballynahinch), G Easterby (Ballynahinch), P Burke (Harlequins), G Dempsey (Terenure), J Bell (Dungannon).