There are nine changes to the Ireland team that will play the Pacific Islanders in the Guinness Autumn Series this Sunday from the side that started the 21-6 win over Australia last weekend.
Among the changes, Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has given first caps to back row forwards Stephen Ferris and Jamie Heaslip, as well to Leinster's 19-year-old back Luke Fitzgerald, who will become the youngest player to play for Ireland since Alastair McKibbin lined out against Wales in 1977.
...Jamie Heaslip of Clontarf and Leinster is set for his first Ireland cap...
In total, there are four personnel changes in the backs. Girvan Dempsey moves into the full-back slot in place of Geordan Murphy and Shane Horgan switches to centre from his right wing berth, in place of the benched Gordon D'Arcy, with the uncapped Fitzgerald taking the number 14 jersey.
Paddy Wallace will makes his long-awaited first start for Ireland at out-half - he is direct swap with Ronan O'Gara who is listed amongst the replacements. The final change in the back line sees the return of the 71-times capped Peter Stringer who will take over from Isaac Boss at scrum half.
...Stephen Ferris of Dungannon and Ulster is just days away from his first Ireland cap...
In the forwards, Frankie Sheahan has been named at hooker and Malcolm O'Kelly makes his first start for Ireland since last season's RBS 6 Nations championship. The back row unit has had a complete overhaul, with Simon Easterby leading in the experience stakes ahead of the uncapped duo of Heaslip, at number 8, and openside flanker Ferris.
The team will be captained by Brian O'Driscoll for the 33rd time. The Leinster centre will win his 70th cap on Sunday.
IRELAND TEAM AND REPLACEMENTS (v Pacific Islanders, Lansdowne Road, kick-off 2.45pm, Sunday, November 26):
- Player / Club / Caps -
15 - Girvan Dempsey (Terenure College/Leinster) 68
14 - Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster) 0
13 - Brian O'Driscoll (Blackrock College/Leinster) (capt) 69
12 - Shane Horgan (Lansdowne/Leinster) 50
11 - Denis Hickie (St. Mary's College/Leinster) 52
10 - Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster) 1
9 - Peter Stringer (Shannon/Munster) 71
1 - Bryan Young (Ballymena/Ulster) 4
2 - Frankie Sheahan (Cork Constitution/Munster) 26
3 - John Hayes (Bruff/Munster) 67
4 - Malcolm O'Kelly (St. Mary's College/Leinster) 82
5 - Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster) 38
6 - Simon Easterby (Llanelli) 51
7 - Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster) 0
8 - Jamie Heaslip (Clontarf/Leinster) 0
Replacements:
16 - Rory Best (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster) 6
17 - Simon Best (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster) 12
18 - Donncha O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster) 29
19 - Denis Leamy (Cork Constitution/Munster) 16
20 - Isaac Boss (Ballymena/Ulster) 4
21 - Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster) 65
22 - Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster) 25
Not Considered Due To Injury:
Andrew Trimble {Hamstring}, Marcus Horan {Calf}
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