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Easterby to lead Irish against All Blacks

08/11/2005

Simon Easterby has been given the all-clear to lead Ireland out against New Zealand at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.

The Llanelli flanker has recently undergone surgery on a broken nose and was thought to be unlikely to feature against the All Blacks.

However, coach Eddie O'Sullivan has insisted Easterby will be fit and will captain the side despite the growing calls for veteran number eight Anthony Foley to take on the job.

"We waited until the last minute today before picking Simon because we had to get medical clearance," said O'Sullivan.

"He had a scan yesterday and the specialist has given him the go-ahead. He's just come off the training field and is good to go."

O'Sullivan also revealed that Denis Leamy and Johnny O'Connor will complete the back row line-up on the merit of their exceptional recent form.

"I said I'd go with the form team and that applies to the back row we've selected," he added.

"All three players are good on the ball and are good defenders. It’s the best combination we have available."

<b>Full Ireland team:</b>
15 Geordan Murphy (Leicester), 14 Tommy Bowe (Ulster), 13 Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster), 12 Shane Horgan (Leinster), 11 Anthony Horgan (Munster), 10 R O'Gara (Munster), 9 P Stringer (Munster), 8 Denis Leamy (Munster), 7 Johnny O'Connor (Wasps), 6 Simon Easterby (Llanelli, captain), 5 Malcolm O'Kelly (Leinster), 4 Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster), 3 John Hayes (Munster), 2 Shane Byrne (Saracens), 1 Marcus Horan (Munster).
Replacements: 16 Rory Best (Ulster), 17 Simon Best (Ulster), 18 Matt McCullough (Ulster), 19 Neil Best (Ulster), 20 Kieran Campbell (Ulster), 21 David Humphreys (Ulster), 22 Girvan Dempsey (Leinster).

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