Captain’s Log: David Humphreys
David Humphreys captains Ireland for the fifth time against Romania on Saturday afternoon. We take a look at the Ulster man’s previous outings as Irish skipper.
Stand-in Ireland captain David Humphreys at Tuesday’s team announcement press conference at the Citywest Hotel, Dublin.
David Humphreys captains Ireland for the fifth time at Lansdowne Road on Saturday afternoon. We take a look at the Ulster man’s previous outings as Irish skipper.
2005 SUMMER TOUR: Second Test: Japan 18 Ireland 47, Tokyo (June 19)
Scorers: Japan: Tries: Daisuke Ohata 2; Con: Keiji Hirose; Pens: Hirose 2
Ireland: Tries: Gavin Duffy 2, Frankie Sheahan 2, David Humphreys, David Wallace, Girvan Dempsey; Cons: Humphreys 6
Humphreys captained Ireland on their summer tour of Japan last June. Having recovered from the facial injury he picked up in the first Test in Osaka, the Belfast-born fly-half scored a try and converted six of Ireland’s seven touchdowns for a well-earned win at Tokyo’s tightly-packed Prince Chichibu Memorial Ground.
Humphreys’ conversion of David Wallace’s early try saw him leapfrog his great rival Ronan O’Gara (then 525) in the record points-scoring stakes. His record now stands at 547 points.
The number 10, who was appearing for the 69th time in a green shirt, said afterwards: “We are obviously delighted. We tried to play a different style from last week and keep the ball in hand. But the heat and humidity made it difficult, especially in the last 10-15 minutes of the first half. It was difficult and certainly not what we’re used to back home.”
SUMMER TOUR 2005: First Test: Japan 12 Ireland 44, Osaka (June 12)
Scorers: Japan: Pens: Kyohei Morita 4
Ireland: Tries: Kevin Maggs, Simon Best, Frankie Sheahan, Tommy Bowe; Cons: David Humphreys, Jeremy Staunton 2; Pens: Humphreys 2, Staunton 4
Humphreys, earning his 68th cap, unfortunately sustained a cut mouth in the 21st-minute in Osaka which left him dazed and needing to be replaced in the first Test of Ireland’s summer 2005 tour of Japan. In only his third start for Ireland since October 2003, Humphreys kicked two early penalties and a conversion to set the Irish on their way to a four-try win.
Jeremy Staunton replaced him at fly-half, landing two conversions and four penalties in an impressive cameo.
SUMMER TOUR 2003: Australia 45 Ireland 16, Perth (June 7)
Scorers: Australia: Tries: George Gregan 2, Elton Flatley, Steve Kefu, Chris Latham, Penalty try; Cons: Flatley 6; Pen: Flatley
Ireland: Try: John Kelly; Con: David Humphreys; Pens: Humphreys 2, Ronan O’Gara
Coming off the back of the 42-6 Six Nations “Grand Slam” decider defeat at the hands of England, Ireland were looking for a morale-boosting performance against the Wallabies in the Subiaco Oval. Unfortunately, they were overrun as the home side outscored them by six tries to one.
An injury to Brian O’Driscoll saw Humphreys, who kicked a penalty and drop goal against England, handed the captain’s armband on the occasion of his 53rd cap.
Previewing the game, Humphreys said: ”Natually, I am delighted to be leading my country, particularly against the World champions. We have quite a number of injuries, but I believe we still have a good strong side.
”There are a few changes in the backline, and Brian O’Driscoll is absent, but I think the three-quarter-line that we have out will cause a few problems.”
Unfortunately the fly-half was proven wrong – the only bright spot in Perth for Ireland, who started Geordan Murphy in the outside centre berth, came in the 33rd-minute when they reassumed the lead for a short while.
Humphreys started the move for John Kelly’s try, Murphy and Kevin Maggs took the ball on further for winger Kelly to loop around Humphreys to dot down.
Humphreys converted and tagged on a penalty to leave Ireland trailing 14-13 at the break. An injury forced the Ulster man off at half-time and although Ronan O’Gara added a penalty, the Aussies cut loose with four further tries.
O’Gara held onto the number 10 spot for the game against Tonga, seven days later, with prop Reggie Corrigan in the captain’s role.
SIX NATIONS 2002: Ireland 32 Italy 17, Lansdowne Road (March 23)
Scorers: Ireland: Denis Hickie, John Kelly 2; Con: Ronan O’Gara; Pens: David Humphreys 4, O’Gara
Italy: Tries: Mauro Bergmasco, Gianpiero De Carli; Cons: Diego Dominguez 2; Drop: Gert Peens
Three early penalties from Humphreys set Ireland on the way against Italy at Lansdowne Road.
Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan, in his fourth game in charge, made four changes to the starting XV following a disappointing 43-22 loss to Scotland in Murrayfield. John Kelly came in for his Test debut, while Shane Byrne was put in for his first start at hooker.
Kelly marked his debut with two tries on an afternoon when his Munster team mate Peter Stringer was twice flattened by prop Salvatore Perugini, who earned a yellow card, and of all people, diminutive fly-half Diego Dominguez.