The Ulster star missed Ireland's first two November internationals - which ended in victories over South Africa and Georgia - with a calf strain but is in the XV to face the Wallabies at the Aviva Stadium.
Having made numerous changes from the impressive 29-15 win over South Africa for a straightforward 49-7 victory against Georgia, Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has reverted to type.
Schmidt has named 13 of the team that beat the Sprinboks, with Leinster centre Gordon D'Arcy retained at inside centre after missing the South Africa game with a calf complaint.
Big-hitting Robbie Henshaw partners D'Arcy at centre, while prop Mike Ross and winger Simon Zebo are the only other two survivors from the team that beat Georgia.
Paul O'Connell returns as captain for his 96th Test appearance, while Ulster flanker Chris Henry (brain injury) and centre Jared Payne (foot) miss out.
Team in full: Rob Kearney, Tommy Bowe, Robbie Henshaw, Gordon D'Arcy, Simon Zebo, Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray, Jack McGrath, Rory Best, Mike Ross, Devin Toner, Paul O'Connell (captain), Peter O'Mahony, Rhys Ruddock, Jamie Heaslip
Replacements: Sean Cronin, Dave Kilcoyne, Rodney Ah You, Dave Foley, Tommy O'Donnell, Eoin Reddan, Ian Madigan, Felix Jones