Horgan Returns For French Clash
Coach Eddie O’Sullivan has made one confirmed change to the Ireland team to play France this Sunday in the RBS 6 Nations championship at Croke Park, from the side that beat Wales 19-9 last weekend.
Leinster wing Shane Horgan returns from a knee injury and is picked on the right wing in place of Andrew Trimble. O’Sullivan has also left two places vacant in a squad of 25, at outside centre and at scrum half, as he waits on the fitness of both Brian O’Driscoll and Peter Stringer.
This means that both Eoin Reddan and Andrew Trimble remain in contention for a place in the squad. If both O’Driscoll and Stringer come through this week and can take their place in the team, then Isaac Boss and Geordan Murphy will remain on the replacements bench. If Stringer does not prove his fitness, Boss will start the game, with Reddan coming onto the bench. If team captain O’Driscoll is ruled out, Murphy will come onto the wing, with Horgan moving to centre to partner Gordon D’Arcy.
Jamie Heaslip has also been named as a possible replacement as a precaution for Denis Leamy.
The team will be lead by Paul O’Connell if O’Driscoll does not play.
IRELAND TEAM AND REPLACEMENTS (v France, Croke Park, Sunday, February 11, 3pm):
Player / Province / Club / Caps
15 – Girvan Dempsey Terenure College/Leinster 70
14 – Shane Horgan Lansdowne/Leinster 51
13 – AN Other
12 – Gordon D’Arcy Lansdowne/Leinster 27
11 – Denis Hickie St. Mary’s College/Leinster 54
10 – Ronan O’Gara Cork Constitution/Munster 67
9 – AN Other
1 – Marcus Horan Shannon/Munster 43
2 – Rory Best Belfast Harlequins/Ulster 8
3 – John Hayes Bruff/Munster 69
4 – Donncha O’Callaghan Cork Constitution/Munster 31
5 – Paul O’Connell Young Munster/Munster 40
6 – Simon Easterby Llanelli 53
7 – David Wallace Garryowen/Munster 33
8 – Denis Leamy Cork Constitution/Munster 18
Replacements:
16 – Jerry Flannery Shannon/Munster 10
17 – Simon Best Belfast Harlequins/Ulster 13
18 – Mick O’Driscoll Cork Constitution/Munster 5
19 – Neil Best Belfast Harlequins/Ulster 7
or Jamie Heaslip Clontarf/Leinster 1
20 – Isaac Boss Ballymena/Ulster 5
or Eoin Reddan Wasps 1
21 – Paddy Wallace Ballymena/Ulster 2
22 – Geordan Murphy Leicester 44
or Andrew Trimble Ballymena/Ulster 11