You are in > manchester.com  > News > Ireland pick Munster-dominated pack for first Test

Rugby Union

Ireland pick Munster-dominated pack for first Test

03/06/2008

Ireland have picked seven Munster forwards in their pack to face New Zealand in the first Test of their summer tour on Saturday.

Leinster number eight Jamie Heaslip is the only non-Munster forward in the starting XV as the Irish attempt to take advantage of the pack's coherence from playing together week in, week out.

Experienced hooker Jerry Flannery returns for his first international game this year after missing the entire Six Nations tournament through injury.

Captain Brian O'Driscoll is back in the starting lineup after missing the Barbarians match last month, allowing him to join Leinster's Luke Fitzgerald in the centres.

Rob Kearney retains his full-back berth after impressing against the Baa-Baas, while Wasps scrum-half Eoin Reddan comes into the lineup after helping Wasps to a 26-16 win over Leicester Tigers in the Guinness Premiership final last weekend.

Full Ireland team to face New Zealand in first Test:

15 - Rob Kearney (Leinster)
14 - Shane Horgan (Leinster)
13 - Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster, captain)
12 - Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster)
11 - Tommy Bowe (Ulster)
10 - Ronan O'Gara (Munster)
9 - Eoin Reddan (Wasps)
1 - Marcus Horan (Munster)
2 - Jerry Flannery (Munster)
3 - John Hayes (Munster)
4 - Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster)
5 - Paul O'Connell (Munster)
6 - Denis Leamy (Munster)
7 - David Wallace (Munster)
8 - Jamie Heaslip (Leinster)

Replacements:
16 - Rory Best (Ulster)
17 - Tony Buckley (Munster)
18 - Mick O'Driscoll (Munster)
19 - Shane Jennings (Leinster)
20 - Peter Stringer (Munster)
21 - Paddy Wallace (Ulster)
22 - Girvan Dempsey (Leinster)