MUNSTER’S CONOR MURRAY is a surprise feature in Declan Kidney’s Ireland side to face the United States in their opening Rugby World Cup encounter in New Plymouth on Sunday.
The Limerick man gets the nod at scrum-half ahead of Eoin Reddan – and will earn only his third Irish cap, and his first ever start in an Irish jersey, on the biggest stage of all in two days’ time.
Murray will partner Leinster outhalf Jonathan Sexton in the half-backs, in a side that is otherwise largely as pundits would have predicted.
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Geordan Murphy is preferred at full-back, while Keith Earls is deployed on the left wing opposite Tommy Bowe on the right. Captain Brian O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy reprise their usual partnership in the centre.
In the pack, Tom Court fills in for the injured Cian Healy, with Rory Best retaining his spot as hooker alongside Mike Ross in the front row.
Behind the usual second row pairing of Donncha O’Callaghan and Paul O’Connell, Stephen Ferris and Shane Jennings will start either side of Jamie Heaslip – with Sean O’Brien given more time to overcome a slight knee problem.
Geordan Murphy; Tommy Bowe, Brian O’Driscoll (capt), Gordon D’Arcy, Keith Earls; Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray; Tom Court, Rory Best, Mike Ross; Donncha O’Callaghan, Paul O’Connell; Stephen Ferris, Shane Jennings, Jamie Heaslip.
Replacements: Jerry Flannery, Tony Buckley, Donnacha Ryan, Denis Leamy, Eoin Reddan, Ronan O’Gara, Andrew Trimble.
Ryan can play both lock and blindside flank, where as Leo is exclusively a lock. Not to prejudice Leo, his record peaks for itself, but Ryan is a rising talent and the utility element is hard to ignore for any coach.
I don’t know what a blindside flank is! I’ve just leapt onto the rugby bandwagon! Come on you boys in green come on you boys in green come on you boys come on you boys in green! What’s a scrum half?
I would expect that once the Italy game comes around both teams will be probably Won 2 lost 1 with progression hanging on the outcome of it. don’t expect it to be pretty!
I’ve heard several pundits/experts say that Ferris should play in 2nd row with O Connell against Aussies, with Jennings,Heaslip & O Brien in the back row. Think it would be a good move which would add extra dynamism to the pack.
This looks very much like the team with one or two possible exceptions (Healy for Court) and maybe some tinkering with the backrow that is going to be used for the 1st two games at least.
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Out with the old, in with the new. Great chance for Conor. Pretty much guarantees him the Munster no 9 shirt too.
O gara shud be out half for his territorial kicking alone
Where’s Leo??
Savin’ him for the Aussies
Eh…Leo? You can’t seriously be insinuating that he should start ahead of the mighty duo from Munster?
well at the very least he’s head and shoulders above Ryan on the bench!
Ryan can play both lock and blindside flank, where as Leo is exclusively a lock. Not to prejudice Leo, his record peaks for itself, but Ryan is a rising talent and the utility element is hard to ignore for any coach.
I don’t know what a blindside flank is! I’ve just leapt onto the rugby bandwagon! Come on you boys in green come on you boys in green come on you boys come on you boys in green! What’s a scrum half?
Ryan can cover both back row and lock, that’s why he’s there.
dont worry about the yanks………italy will be after our scalp big time, they owe us one from the six nations!!!
I would expect that once the Italy game comes around both teams will be probably Won 2 lost 1 with progression hanging on the outcome of it. don’t expect it to be pretty!
I’ve heard several pundits/experts say that Ferris should play in 2nd row with O Connell against Aussies, with Jennings,Heaslip & O Brien in the back row. Think it would be a good move which would add extra dynamism to the pack.
This looks very much like the team with one or two possible exceptions (Healy for Court) and maybe some tinkering with the backrow that is going to be used for the 1st two games at least.