Ireland boss names strong team - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

Ireland boss names strong team

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has named his strongest available side for Friday's World Cup warm-up clash with Italy at Ravenhill.

Brian O'Driscoll is out with the fractured sinus he sustained against Bayonne last Thursday so Andrew Trimble of Ulster moves to outside centre to plug the gap.

Leicester back Geordan Murphy is promoted from the bench and fills Trimble's place on the right wing in the only other change to the side that thrashed French club Bayonne 42-6 last Thursday.

Paul O'Connell takes over the leadership duties in O'Driscoll's absence while his Munster colleague Denis Leamy has recovered from the shoulder injury he suffered against Bayonne to retain his place in the team.

O'Sullivan has made full use of his World Cup squad by making five changes to the replacements bench.

Hooker Jerry Flannery, back row Stephen Ferris, scrum-half Isaac Boss, winger Brian Carney and prop Simon Best join lock Malcolm O'Kelly and fly-half Paddy Wallace among the substitutes.

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