Ireland coach Declan Kidney plays it safe for South African opener.
There was much debate over what way Deccy would go with his selection for this game, wither to go with the tried and tested or give a few form players a go, with one eye on the World Cup.
In my mind it was never in doubt, with Deccy around it was going to be the tried and tested all the way! It was never in his make up to go risky, in fairness it’s worked for him so far!
But this would be the first time he’s been under a bit of pressure, Ireland have lost a few too many games on the trot for his liking.
Not that it’s a bad team!
15 - Rob Kearney
14 -Tommy Bowe
13 -Brian O’Driscoll (capt)
12 - Gordon D’Arcy
11 - Luke Fitzgerald
10 - Jonathan Sexton
9 -Eoin Reddan
1 -Cian Healy
2 - Rory Best
3 - Tony Buckley
4 -Donncha O’Callaghan
5 -Mick O’Driscoll
6 - Stephen Ferris
7 - David Wallace
8 -Jamie Heaslip
Replacements:
16 - Sean Cronin
17 - Tom Court
18 -Donnacha Ryan
19 -Denis Leamy
20 - Peter Stringer
21 -Ronan O’Gara
22 -Keith Earls/Andrew Trimble/Paddy Wallace
I suppose that the biggest news would be that John Hayes is not in the 1st team match 22 for the first time in 10 years, he might enjoy the break!!
Good to see Fitzgerald back, I would have like to see Stringer starting with Sexton, that extra half second that he give would be invaluable!
It being the first time that Ireland have played in the new Aviva stadium, they are playing in a special commemorative jersey and for the first time the home team is playing in their home colors and the visiting team is changing.
South Africa is the only team Ireland has to change to play, we normally wear white at home, a first for the oldest international ground in the world, as the IRFU are killed telling everybody!!
Shane
