Eoin Reddan and Jonathan Sexton have been recalled to the Ireland team for this weekend’s clash with New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium.
Munster duo Peter Stringer and Ronan O’Gara had been tipped to retain their places from the Samoa game, but Ireland coach Declan Kidney has instead opted to recall Leinster pairing Reddan and Sexton, who started in the defeat to South Africa a fortnight ago.
Rob Kearney has been given the all-clear to start at full back and will take his place in a backline that contains only one player from outside Leinster, the Ospreys’ Tommy Bowe.
Rory Best has been recalled at hooker and will be partnered in the front row by Cian Healy and Tom Court. Mick O’Driscoll has been recalled at the expense of Devin Toner in the second row alongside Donncha O’Callaghan, while Stephen Ferris, David Wallace and Jamie Heaslip make up the rest of the pack.
O’Gara, Stringer and Toner have all been named amongst the replacements, alongside Sean Cronin, John Hayes, Denis Leamy and Keith Earls.
Ireland’s clash with New Zealand kicks off in the Aviva Stadium on Saturday at 5.30pm.
Ireland: Robert Kearney; Tommy Bowe, Brian O’Driscoll (captain), Gordon D’Arcy, Luke Fitzgerald; Jonathan Sexton, Eoin Reddan; Cian Healy, Rory Best, Tom Court, Donncha O’Callaghan, Mick O’Driscoll, Stephen Ferris, David Wallace, Jamie Heaslip.
Replacements: Sean Cronin, John Hayes, Devin Toner, Denis Leamy, Peter Stringer, Ronan O’Gara, Keith Earls
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