Ireland unveils new look side for Fiji - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Ireland unveils new look side for Fiji

18/11/2009 06:49:45 AM Comments (0)

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has given a chance for some of his squad players to shine after naming a team showing eight changes for Saturday's international against Fiji.

Following Six Nations champions Ireland's 20-20 draw with Australia last weekend, Kidney has made five switches in the backs and three in the forwards.

Keith Earls, who replaced the injured Luke Fitzgerald against Australia, retains his place on the left wing with the experienced Shane Horgan coming in on the right wing for Tommy Bowe.

Gordon D'Arcy moves into the centre and there is a new half-back partnership with Jonathan Sexton, one of the stars of the Leinster side that won last season's European Cup, earning his first cap at No 10 with Eoin Reddan starting at scrum-half.

Australia-born Tom Court starts the game at loosehead prop and Leo Cullen comes into the side to partner Paul O'Connell in the second row. There is one change to the back row with Denis Leamy replacing David Wallace.

Tomas O'Leary, Paddy Wallace and Donncha O'Callaghan are among the replacements after starting against Australia.

But fly-half Ronan O'Gara misses out completely ahead of Ireland's clash against world champions South Africa on November 28.

Saturday's match will be the first international ever to be played at the Royal Dublin Society showground.

Fiji were beaten 23-10 by Scotland at Murrayfield last weekend.

Ireland team announced Tuesday to play Fiji in a one-off international at the Royal Dublin Showground on Saturday:

Rob Kearney; Shane Horgan, Brian O'Driscoll (capt), Gordon D'Arcy, Keith Earls; Jonathan Sexton, Eoin Reddan; Jamie Heaslip, Denis Leamy, Stephen Ferris; Paul O'Connell, Leo Cullen; John Hayes, Jerry Flannery, Tom Court. Res: Sean Cronin, Tony Buckley, Donncha O'Callaghan, Sean O'Brien, Tomas O'Leary, Paddy Wallace, Andrew Trimble.

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