Costello Called To The Bench

05/09/2002. Leinster number 8 Victor Costello returns to the senior international side for the first time since 1999.

Victor Costello was drafted into the senior squad as cover when there were injury scares over Anthony Foley and Eric Miller. Foley has come through but Miller has been forced to withdraw which give Costello his place in the senior 22 for the first time since the RWC game against Argentina in 1999.

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, Victor Costello, Guy Easterby, David Humphreys, Rob Henderson.