Ireland names two debutants in team – Rugby News Update
Declan Kidney, the head coach of Ireland, takes his team to New Zealand for a three-match test tour, starting at Eden Park, where the All Blacks have not lost since 1994.
Kidney wants to put out the strongest squad that he feels is capable of upsetting the World Champions but he knows it will not be an easy task.
"When you are playing the world champions in their own back yard in their first game after the World Cup, you have to be on the top of your game," Kidney said. "There's no secrets around any of that. But we believe that if we are then we're well in with
a shout."
He has named two debutants in his team. Simon Zebo, the 22-year-old Munster winger is set to earn his first Ireland cap. He made his debut for Munster in April 2010, and having led the team to the quarter-final of the Heineken Cup, Kidney believes that he
deserves his international chance.
On his inclusion in the squad, he said, "Simon has been going well and he took his opportunity in the Barbarians match 10 days ago. He has been playing consistently, and well, on the left wing and I see that as an advantage."
The other debutant for Ireland in this match is Declan Fitzpatrick, the 28-year-old Ulster prop. He has been an important member of the Ulster team, which repeatedly does well in the Heineken Cup. He was called up to the Ireland A team in 2006/07 but this
will be his debut. He will replace Mike Ross in the tighthead prop position, as the former is recovering from injury.
Keith Earls will partner Brian O’Driscoll in the centre, while the right wing berth is going to be taken up by Fergus McFadden.
Ireland will have to be on top of their game if they are to cause an upset against the All Blacks.
Ireland Squad:
Ireland: R Kearney; F McFadden, B O'Driscoll (captain), K Earls, S Zebo; J Sexton, C Murray; C Healy, R Best, D Fitzpatrick, D Tuohy, D Ryan, P O'Mahony, S O'Brien, J Heaslip.
Replacements: S Cronin, R Loughney, D O'Callaghan, K McLaughlin, E Reddan, R O'Gara, D Cave.
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