Beale has been named on an 11-man bench to be finalised in the coming days and he could yet be cut from the 23-man squad to play in Dublin on Sunday morning Australian time.

Cheika has made sweeping changes to the Wallabies line-up which lost to France last weekend, adding Sam Carter, Luke Jones, Matt Toomua and Henry Speight to the starting XV.

But Beale's inclusion will snatch all of the attention six weeks after his off-field controversies sent the ARU into damage control.

Wallabies great Tim Horan believes Beale has the X-factor required to help Australia dominate the international arena and that his return adds valuable depth to the Wallabies.

"Kurtley has the respect of the players but he needs to keep his head down and gain respect again … he's a wonderful player," Horan said.

"He's got to prove that to the supporters on the field first and then off the field. Kurtley is a ball player and he's got the X-factor."

Cheika had always planned to make changes to his team for the clash against Ireland, even before the 29-26 loss to France in Paris.

Speight will make his debut for Australia after a four-year eligibility wait. The ACT Brumbies winger replaces Joseph Tomane in the starting side.

Toomua will make a straight swap with Brumbies teammate Christian Lealiifano at inside centre.

Toomua hasn't played a Test since suffering back-to-back concussions in clashes against South Africa and Argentina.

Jones replaces Sean McMahon while Sam Carter has been injected back into the second row after injury kept him out of the loss to France.

"Henry has done all the right things to earn his selection, has had an outstanding Super Rugby season and deserves his opportunity to play for Australia," Cheika said.

"He is very passionate about representing Australia and we're all looking forward to seeing him bring his best attributes to our game.

"The other changes have been made to give the other players who have been knocking on the door an opportunity to start a Test match on this tour."

Beale was fined $45,000 for sending a lewd picture message to former team business manager Di Patston.

He was found guilty at a code of conduct hearing, but survived recommendations he be sacked and avoided suspension.

Beale has said he wants to win back respect on the field after fearing he would never play for Australia again.

"I feel like I have to show the Australian public what I can do out there and, if I can show that through some good performances, then hopefully I can repay the faith," Beale said before flying to Dublin.

"If I do get the opportunity to play against Ireland, then I'll put my best foot forward to do that."

Cheika ended his six-week exile from the Wallabies camp, calling him into the European tour squad for Tests against Ireland and England.

"If I don't select players who I think should be in the team, then I'm just playing politics, too, and that's not what I'm interested in," Cheika said last week.

"Will it divide [opinion] any less now than it will in June [next year]? I've got to stay true to what I believe and what I believe as the coach at this level.

"What do we do? Put it off a little bit and hope everyone forgets and he can come back later on?"

WALLABIES: 1. James Slipper, 2. Saia Fainga'a, 3. Sekope Kepu, 4. Sam Carter, 5. Rob Simmons, 6. Luke Jones, 7. Michael Hooper, 8. Ben McCalman, 9. Nick Phipps, 10. Bernard Foley, 11. Henry Speight, 12. Matt Toomua, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 15. Israel Folau. Reserves: James Hanson, Benn Robinson, Ben Alexander, Tetera Faulkner, Will Skelton, James Horwill, Jake Schatz, Will Genia, Quade Cooper, Rob Horne, Kurtley Beale.