Ireland have recalled Tommy Bowe for Saturday's RBS 6 Nations clash with Scotland and included Paul O'Connell on the bench.

Bowe has been rewarded for his sparkling form for Ulster by replacing Geordan Murphy on the right wing.

It is the 23-year-old's first involvement with Ireland since he started last August's World Cup warm-up match against the same opposition.

Murphy was given a torrid time by opposite number Vincent Clerc in the 26-21 defeat by France and is omitted from the squad altogether.

O'Connell missed the opening two games of the Six Nations because of a long-term back injury sustained during the World Cup, but Ireland's pack leader and vice-captain completed his recovery on Magners League duty for Munster at the weekend.

Mick O'Driscoll is promoted to the starting line-up - he was included among the substitutes against Italy and France - where he will pack down alongside Donncha O'Callaghan.

Munster lock O'Driscoll replaces the axed Malcolm O'Kelly in the only other change to the starting line-up from the narrow defeat in Paris.

Leinster's Shane Horgan, who appeared favourite to replace Murphy, continues on the bench.

Ireland head coach Eddie O'Sullivan revealed there is a slight doubt over skipper Brian O'Driscoll.

O'Sullivan said: ``Brian's calf tightened up in training. He should be fine but we'll see later in the week. Luke Fitzgerald is on standby as cover. If a player gets a niggle early in the week then it's always a concern but the match is on Saturday.

``We need a player on standby just in case he doesn't make it, but it's just a precaution. I'm not worried about him. Brian is a power runner and does pick up the odd niggle.''

There has been a growing clamour for Bowe's inclusion and O'Sullivan confirmed he could no longer ignore his claims to selection.

He said: ``Tommy is playing really well and has forced his way into the team. He has really been putting his hand up.''

O'Sullivan added: ``Paul O'Connell is back and has forced his way into the 22. One of the locks had to drop out because of that and it was a tough call on Malcolm.

``But Mick did well off the bench in Paris and that justifies his place in the team.''

Ireland team for RBS 6 Nations match against Scotland at Croke Park on Saturday:

G Dempsey (Leinster); T Bowe (Ulster), B O'Driscoll (Leinster, captain), A Trimble (Ulster), R Kearney (Leinster); R O'Gara (Munster), E Reddan (Wasps); M Horan (Munster), B Jackman (Leinster), J Hayes (Munster), D O'Callaghan (Munster), M O'Driscoll (Munster), D Leamy (Munster), D Wallace (Munster), J Heaslip (Leinster).

Replacements: R Best (Ulster), T Buckley (Munster), P O'Connell (Munster), S Easterby (Llanelli), P Stringer (Munster), P Wallace (Ulster), S Horgan (Leinster).