IRELAND TOUR: LEINSTER-BOUND, Cork-born, Harlequins tighthead prop Mike Ross will make his first Test start for Ireland at the Buckshaw Stadium in Santa Clara, California this Saturday as the Eddie O'Sullivan regime begins in American rugby.
The only change from last week’s unimpressive 25-6 victory over Canada in Vancouver sees Tony Buckley switched to loosehead prop as Ulster’s Tom Court drops to the bench.
A glance through O’Sullivan’s first US Eagles squad reveals two Dublin University forwards, Pat Danahy and Scott Lavalla, while many will remember the impact of Biarritz winger Takudzwa Ngwenya at the 2007 World Cup, especially when he outpaced Bryan Habana for a marvellous try. Other players of note are massive Agen winger Salesi Sika and Japan-based veteran outhalf Mike Hercus.
“It is great to be back coaching at international level again and I’m looking forward to the challenge immensely,” said O’Sullivan recently. “It is also an honour to face Ireland in my first Test as Eagles head coach. It will be a little strange to face off against a team that I know so well, but at the same time for me that will make the occasion even more special.”
Leinster’s Devon Toner has been called up to the squad early, ahead of next month’s Churchill Cup, as cover for Mick O’Driscoll although a damaged wrist is not expected to rule out the Munster lock.
Alan Gaffney also joined up with the squad in recent days in his role as backs coach.
“We felt that after last week’s game against Canada that the players who started deserved another chance to improve on that performance,” said Irish coach Declan Kidney.
“We thought long and hard about making further changes to the side, but with only two full training sessions under their belts before the Canada game, we thought that it would be better to give an opportunity for the same players and combinations to find their feet a bit more with some more sessions to work off.
“The majority of those who will not start on Sunday or are not in the match-day 22 will all have further opportunities in the Churchill Cup.”
BARBARIANS(v England): B Blair (Cardiff); D Howlett (Munster), J Lewsey (Wasps), G D'Arcy (Leinster), I Balshaw (Gloucester); G Jackson (Saracens), J Marshall (Saracens); C Dermody (London Irish), S Brits (Stormers), G Somerville (Gloucester); M Corry (Leicester, capt), C Jack (Saracens); J Collins (Toulon), S Betsen (London Wasps), R Elsom (Leinster). Replacements: S Bruno (Sale), BJ Botha (Ulster), P Tito (Cardiff), P Waugh (Waratahs), C Whitaker (Leinster), M Catt (London Irish), R Nasiganiyavi (Waratahs).
Ireland
(v USA, Santa Clara, Sunday, 9.0pm)
15 Gavin Duffy (Connacht)
14 Barry Murphy (Munster)
13 Darren Cave (Ulster)
12 Ian Whitten (Ulster)
11 Ian Dowling (Munster)
10 Ian Keatley (Connacht)
9 Peter Stringer (Munster)
1 Tony Buckley (Munster)
2 Rory Best (Ulster, capt)
3 Mike Ross (Harlequins)
4 Bob Casey (London Irish)
5 Mick O’Driscoll (Munster)
6 John Muldoon (Connacht)
7 Niall Ronan (Munster)
8 Denis Leamy (Munster)
Replacements: Sean Cronin (Connacht), Tom Court (Ulster), Ryan Caldwell (Ulster), Donnacha Ryan (Munster), Eoin Reddan (Wasps), Niall O'Connor (Ulster), Denis Hurley (Munster).
