The Ireland 'A' team to face Australia 'A' at Thomond Park on Wednesday week (November 15) is a mix of youth and experience with Ireland squad newcomers Luke Fitzgerald and Stephen Ferris both down to make their debuts.
The side will be captained by Ulster prop Simon Best, who has recovered from the broken leg he suffered at the end of last season.
Both full-back Fitzgerald and flanker Ferris will be making their first appearances at this level from the start, but Fitzgerald's Leinster team-mate Cillian Willis, the young scrum half, could also make his 'A' debut off the bench.
In their native Limerick, London Wasps duo Jeremy Staunton and Eoin Reddan will link up for the first time at an international level, as the 'A' team's half-backs.
IRELAND 'A' TEAM AND REPLACEMENTS (v Australia 'A', Thomond Park, 7.30pm, Wednesday, November 15:)
- Player/Club -
15 - Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster)
14 - John Kelly (Cork Constitution/Munster)
13 - Barry Murphy (UL Bohemians/Munster)
12 - Kieran Lewis (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
11 - Denis Hickie (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
10 - Jeremy Staunton (Wasps)
9 - Eoin Reddan (Wasps)
1 - Ronan McCormack (UCD/Leinster)
2 - John Fogarty (Buccaneers/Connacht)
3 - Simon Best (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster) (capt)
4 - Matt McCullough (Ballymena/Ulster)
5 - Trevor Hogan (Shannon/Leinster)
6 - Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster)
7 - Keith Gleeson (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
8 - Jamie Heaslip (Clontarf/Leinster)
Replacements:
16 - Brian Blaney (Terenure College/Leinster)
17 - Ray Hogan (Galwegians/Connacht)
18 - Mick O'Driscoll (Cork Constitution/Munster)
19 - Roger Wilson (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
20 - Cillian Willis (UCD/Leinster)
21 - Mark McHugh (Galwegians/Connacht)
22 - Robert Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
Not considered due to injury:
Johnny O'Connor (Wasps)
Jerry Flannery (Shannon/Munster)
Anthony Horgan (Cork Constitution/Munster)
Tommy Bowe (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
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