Four Irish To Start Against Auckland

Four Irish players – Geordan Murphy, Gordon D’Arcy, Denis Hickie and John Hayes – will start for the British & Irish Lions in their final midweek tour match against Auckland on Tuesday.

2005 Lions Tour: Tuesday, July 5
Auckland v Lions, Eden Park, 8.10am Irish time (live Sky Sports 1/RTE Radio 1)

Murphy, D’Arcy and Hayes all lined out in the Lions’ record 109-6 thumping of Manawatu last week, while Leinster flyer Hickie was last involved against Southland on June 21.

With Wales centre Gavin Henson currently nursing an injury, D’Arcy could yet force his way into the reckoning for next weekend’s third Test.

Both Shane Horgan, one of five players involved in Saturday’s 48-18 second Test loss to New Zealand to make the 22 for Auckland, and the over-looked Ronan O’Gara make the replacements bench.

Munster fly-half O’Gara, who scored two tries and five conversions as a second half substitute against Manawatu last week, has been used sparingly on tour – only starting twice against Bay of Plenty and Southland.

The most notable inclusion in the Lions’ XV for the Auckland encounter is Scotland flanker Jason White, a recent call-up, who lines out in a back row with Welsh pair Martyn Williams and Michael Owen.

Scotland hooker Gordon Bulloch will captain the tourists once more.

AUCKLAND: Brent Ward; Isa Nacewa, Ben Atiga/Gavin Williams, Sam Tuitupou, Joe Rokocoko/Tony Koonwaiyou; Tasesa Lavea, Steve Devine; Saimone Taumoepeau/Chris Heard, Semisi Telefoni, John Afoa, Brad Mika, Bryce Williams, Justin Collins (Captain), Daniel Braid, Angus MacDonald.

Replacements: John Fonokalafi, Chris Heard/Nick White, Kurtis Haiu, Jerome Kaino, Taniela Moa, Isaia Toe’ava, Gavin Williams/Ben Atiga.

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS:

(15) Geordan Murphy (Leicester/Ireland)
(14) Mark Cueto (Sale Sharks/England)
(13) Will Greenwood (NEC Harlequins/England)
(12) Gordon D’Arcy (Leinster/Ireland)
(11) Denis Hickie (Leinster/Ireland)
(10) Charlie Hodgson (Sale Sharks/England)
(9) Matt Dawson (Wasps/England)
(1) Graham Rowntree (Leicester/England)
(2) Gordon Bulloch (Glasgow/Scotland) (Captain)
(3) John Hayes (Munster/Ireland)
(4) Simon Shaw (Wasps/England)
(5) Ben Kay (Leicester/England)
(6) Jason White (Sale Sharks/Scotland)
(7) Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
(8) Michael Owen (Newport-Gwent Dragons/Wales)

Replacements:

(16) Andy Titterrell (Sale Sharks/England)
(17) Matt Stevens (Bath/England)
(18) Brent Cockbain (The Ospreys/Wales)
(19) Martin Corry (Leicester/England)
(20) Chris Cusiter (The Borders/Scotland)
(21) Ronan O’Gara (Munster/Ireland)
(22) Shane Horgan (Leinster/Ireland)

Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand)