There is no place in the 23-man squad for Geordan Murphy, while old faithfuls like Hayes, Alan Quinlan, Shane Horgan, David Wallace and Peter Stringer are named on the initial replacements panel.

BBC: Full-back Earls gets Ireland call

Ronan O'Gara and Peter Stringer earn starts with Luke Fitzgerald switching to full-back and Paddy Wallace and Andrew Trimble are also included.

BBC: Samoa name strong line-up to face Ireland in Dublin

Lord Mayor Peter Abraham suggested the honour as Aardman won its fourth Academy Award for the film Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit.

BBC: NEWS | UK | England | Bristol/Somerset | Aardman offered freedom of city

The British animators, Peter Lord and Nick Park, were trusted to deliver something that would be as recognisably British as Wallace and Gromit, but with international appeal as well.

ECONOMIST: The trouble with cartoon films

He missed Saturday's win over Italy but now returns to the squad along with Peter Stringer, Kevin Maggs, Anthony Horgan, Simon Best, Paul Connell, Malcolm O'Kelly and David Wallace.

BBC: Kelly's World Cup hopes alive