Close Calls At Number 10/12.

04/09/2002. Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan conducted his training session in brilliant sunshine in the in-field of the running track at the University of Limerick yesterday.

Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan conducted his training session in brilliant sunshine in the in-field of the running track at the University of Limerick yesterday before naming the side to face Romania in the opening game of the season at Thomond Park on Saturday (1.30pm).

The only areas really expected to be contentious were at out-half and centre with the usual Ronan O’Gara versus David Humphreys tussle for the number 10 jersey and Rob Henderson vying with Kevin Maggs for the right to partner Brian O’Driscoll in midfield.

Both decision were close calls, according to O’Sullivan, with O’Gara and Maggs just getting the nod.
“In both cases there was really little or nothing in it. I watched David and Ronan in Wales at the weekend. Both had good games so of course it was a close call. It always will be with these two. I suppose we’re lucky to have two players of such high calibre.”

Henderson must also have impressed the watching O’Sullivan in Stradey Park and once again O’Sullivan admitted that the final decision wasn’t easy,
“No, once again we have two top class performers, both playing well, that any side would love to have. In the end we went with Kevin but it must be remembered that we’re starting out on a long Test programme and we need to have this type of quality player available if we are to achieve our aims.”

Anthony Foley was named at number 8 although Victor Costello has been called into the squad as a precaution because Foley is suffering from a slight rib injury. In the replacements the AN
Other revolves around Eric Miller who is also carrying a rib injury with Alan Quinlan on standby.

Ireland Girvan Dempsey; John Kelly, Brian O’Driscoll, Kevin Maggs, Denis Hickie; Ronan O’Gara, Peter Stringer; Reggie Corrigan, Keith Wood capt, John Hayes; Gary Longwell; Malcolm O’Kelly; Simon Easterby, Keith Gleeson, Anthony Foley.

Replacements – Shane Byrne, Paul Wallace, Leo Cullen, AN Other, Guy Easterby, David Humphreys, Rob Henderson.