Three Changes For Showdown With Welsh

Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan has made three changes to the team that started against France for Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations showdown with Wales (Lansdowne Road, kick-off 3.00pm).

…Andrew Trimble – the Ulster centre/winger will make his first 6 Nations start against Wales…

Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan has made three changes to the team that started against France for Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations showdown with Wales (Lansdowne Road, kick-off 3.00pm).

Donncha O’Callaghan comes into the second row in place of the injured Paul O’Connell (shoulder) to win his 22nd cap, with Ireland ‘A’ captain Mick O’Driscoll included amongst the replacements. Marcus Horan has recovered from a stomach bug and comes into the team in place of Reggie Corrigan at loosehead prop.

In the backs, Andrew Trimble, earning his fourth cap, moves to the left wing in place of his Ulster team mate Tommy Bowe with Girvan Dempsey bumped up to the bench.

The team will be captained by centre Brian O’Driscoll for the 25th time.

IRELAND TEAM v WALES (Lansdowne Road, Sunday, kick-off 3.00pm):

Player / Club / Caps
15 – Geordan Murphy (Leicester) 36
14 – Shane Horgan (Lansdowne/Leinster) 42
13 – Brian O’Driscoll (Captain) (Blackrock College/Leinster) 61
12 – Gordon D’Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster) 17
11 – Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster) 3
10 – Ronan O’Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster) 57
9 – Peter Stringer (Shannon/Munster) 63

1 – Marcus Horan (Shannon/Munster) 34
2 – Jerry Flannery (Shannon/Munster) 3
3 – John Hayes (Bruff/Munster) 59
4 – Donncha O’Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster) 21
5 – Malcolm O’Kelly (St. Mary’s College/Leinster) 77
6 – Simon Easterby (Llanelli) 46
7 – David Wallace (Garryowen/Munster) 24
8 – Denis Leamy (Cork Constitution/Munster) 8

Replacements:
16 – Rory Best (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster) 2
17 – Simon Best (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster) 11
18 – Mick O’Driscoll (Cork Constitution/Munster) 3
19 – Johnny O’Connor (Wasps) 10
20 – Eoin Reddan (Wasps) 1
21 – David Humphreys (Dungannon/Ulster) 72
22 – Girvan Dempsey (Terenure College/Leinster) 62

Not considered due to injury:
Paul O’Connell (Young Munster/Munster) {Shoulder}

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