Trimble Ireland’s Only Change
Debutant centre Andrew Trimble has come in as Ireland’s only change, replacing Anthony Horgan indirectly, for Saturday’s permanent tsb International against Australia.
Ireland’s new cap Andrew Trimble
Debutant centre Andrew Trimble has come in as Ireland’s only change, replacing Anthony Horgan indirectly, for Saturday’s permanent tsb International against Australia.
The 21-year-old Trimble, who has put in a number of eye-catching performances for Ulster this season, will make the step-up to senior international rugby at the expense of Munster winger Horgan, who turns 29 today.
Horgan played on the left wing in last Saturday’s 45-7 loss to the All Blacks – the number 11 shirt for the Australian game will be filled by Trimble’s Ulster team mate Tommy Bowe, who comes across from the right.
That switch sees Shane Horgan, who operated in midfield last weekend, file back onto the right wing allowing Trimble, who played for Ireland at last summer’s Under-21 World Cup in Argentina, come in for his first cap at outside centre. Leinster’s Gordon D’Arcy will be his centre partner.
There are no changes to the pack with Munster back row Denis Leamy continuing at the base of the scrum.
On the injury front, scrum-half Peter Stringer (calf strain) has come through a fitness test to start what will be his 60th cap – the Munster pivot is the fourth player in Saturday’s squad to hit that total. Flanker Simon Easterby, who continues as captain, has an injured lip but has been passed fit to play against the Wallabies.
Saturday’s clash will be the 24th meeting between Ireland and Australia since 1927 – the Wallabies lead the way with 16 wins. The last of Ireland’s seven success came at Lansdowne Road on November 9, 2002. Ronan O’Gara kicked six penalties to Matt Burke’s three for an 18-9 home win that day
IRELAND TEAM TO PLAY AUSTRALIA (at Lansdowne Road, 2.30pm, Sat, Nov 19):
15 – Geordan Murphy (Leicester), DOB: 19/04/78, Caps: 32
14 – Shane Horgan (Leinster – Lansdowne), 18/07/78, 38
13 – Andrew Trimble (Ulster – Ballymena), 20/10/84, –
12 – Gordon D’Arcy (Leinster – Lansdowne), 10/02/80, 13
11 – Tommy Bowe (Ulster – Belfast Harlequins), 22/02/84, 4
10 – Ronan O’Gara (Munster – Cork Constitution), 07/03/77, 53
9 – Peter Stringer (Munster – Shannon), 13/12/77, 59
1 – Marcus Horan (Munster – Shannon), 07/09/77, 31
2 – Shane Byrne (Saracens), 18/07/71, 39
3 – John Hayes (Munster – Bruff), 02/11/73, 55
4 – Donncha O’Callaghan (Munster – Cork Constitution), 23/03/79, 17
5 – Malcolm O’Kelly (Leinster – St. Mary’s College), 19/07/74, 74
6 – Simon Easterby (Llanelli), Captain, 21/07/75, 43
7 – Johnny O’Connor (Wasps), 09/02/80, 8
8 – Denis Leamy (Munster – Cork Constitution), 27/11/81, 4
Replacements:
16 – Rory Best (Ulster – Belfast Harlequins), 15/09/82, 1
17 – Simon Best (Ulster – Belfast Harlequins), 11/02/78, 9
18 – Matt McCullough (Ulster – Ballymena), 09/09/81, 3
19 – Neil Best (Ulster – Belfast Harlequins), 03/04/79, 1
20 – Kieran Campbell (Ulster – Dungannon), 06/07/79, 2
21 – David Humphreys (Ulster – Dungannon), 10/09/71, 70
22 – Girvan Dempsey (Leinster – Terenure College), 02/10/75, 60
Not considered due to injury: Guy Easterby (Leinster – Blackrock College), Denis Hickie (Leinster – St. Mary’s College), Eric Miller (Leinster – Terenure College), Paul O’Connell (Munster – Young Munster), Brian O’Driscoll (Leinster – Blackrock College), Alan Quinlan (Munster – Shannon), Frankie Sheahan (Munster – Cork Constitution).
AUSTRALIA: tbc
Referee: Chris White (England)