A total of six Irishmen feature in the Lions side for their warm-up game against Argentina on Monday as coach Clive Woodward hands Jonny Wilkinson his long-awaited international return.
Ireland's Geordan Murphy, Denis Hickie, Gordon D'Arcy, Shane Byrne, John Hayes and Malcolm O'Kelly will all start at the Millennium Stadium, while Ronan O'Gara, Donncha O'Callaghan and Shane Horgan are named on the replacements' bench.
Wilkinson has not played at the highest level since dropping the goal which won England the 2003 World Cup in Sydney's Telstra Stadium.
When he takes to the field in Cardiff it will represent a personal triumph for the Newcastle Falcons fly-half, who has been plagued by injuries since his World Cup exploits.
He was initially left out of the Lions squad due to question marks lingering over his fitness, but he has convinced Woodward of his form and physical sharpness over the closing weeks of the Zurich Premiership season, resulting in his late call-up.
Wales number eight Michael Owen will skipper the Lions, with Brian O'Driscoll, who will captain the side on their summer tour of New Zealand, allowed to sit out the game, ahead of the squad's departure to the southern hemisphere next Wednesday.
British & Irish Lions team to face Argentina in Cardiff on Monday, May 23.
G Murphy (Ireland); D Hickie (Ireland), O Smith (England), G D'Arcy (Ireland), S Williams (Wales), J Wilkinson (England), G Cooper (Wales); G Rowntree (England), S Byrne (Ireland), J Hayes (Munster), M O'Kelly (Ireland), D Grewcock (England), S Taylor (Scotland), L Moody (England), M Owen (Wales, capt).
Replacements: S Thompson (England), J White (England), D O'Callaghan (Ireland), M Corry (England), C Cusiter (Scotland), R O'Gara (Ireland), S Horgan (Ireland).
