Ireland makes nine changes to its side facing France in RWC warm-up clash - Rugby News
Ireland has made big changes to its side scheduled to play a Rugby World Cup warm-up match against France on August 13 in Bordeaux. The changes have been made after the miserable performance of the Irish side against Scotland last weekend as they scored
just six points in the whole game. Scotland thumped them in a low scoring game by 10-6 and revealed the loop holes of the Irish side in its Rugby World Cup preparations. Ireland coach, Declan Kidney, disclosed his squad for their second warm-up on August 11
and told the media that nine changes will be made in their starting line up against France.
The Irish side had done well with their defence in the last outgoing against Scotland but remained unimpressive with their forward packs. The equation favoured them until the 76th minute of the match with a 6-3 lead but it was not a reliable total.
Joe Ansbro scored a decisive try for Scotland and ran away with the crucial victory over Ireland.
Kidney told the media that three changes will be made in the centre rows as Andrew Trimble, Rob Kearney and Luke Fitzgerald are making their comeback into their side after missing the last match against Scotlan
Among the other changes made in the Irish side, Sean O’ Brien will be deployed in the back lines whereas Donncha O'Callaghan and Donnacha Ryan will also be given new roles for this weekend’s clash.
Commenting on the new line ups, Declan Kidney said that, “Obviously we have a few performance goals and they will be to improve on last week's performance. They're working really hard. Sometimes you have to pull them off the training pitch because they want
do extras at the end. From my side I couldn't be asking any more from them.”
He further said that, “I think once you get the opportunity to wear the green jersey you've got to win the match. That's going to be our primary objective. From my side I couldn't be asking any more from them.”
Ireland is left with two test matches before Rugby World Cup 2011 against France. They will play their last match of warm-up runs against France on August 20.
Irish squads for Rugby World Cup warm-up match against France:
15. Rob Kearney14. Andrew Trimble13. Keith Earls12. Paddy Wallace 11. Luke Fitzgerald 10. Ronan O'Gara 9. Eoin Reddan8, Dennis Leamy7. Sean O'Brien6. Donnacha Ryan5. Leo Cullen (capt)4. Donncha O'Callaghan3. Mike Ross2. Rory 1. Cian HealyBest
Replacements:
16. Jerry Flannery 17. Tony Buckley 18. Paul O'Connell 19. Jamie Heaslip 20. Conor Murray21. Fergus McFadden 22. Felix Jones
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