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he Ireland Squad
© Inpho
Andrew Trimble, who was ruled out of the final two test matches of the Autumn series, returns to the side on the right wing in place of Luke Fitzgerald. Gordon D‘Arcy takes over in the centre from Shane Horgan, who is recovering from a knee injury, to partner Captain Brian O’Driscoll. The final change in the backline is at No.10, where Ronan O’Gara starts instead of Paddy Wallace, who is named in the replacements.
The front row sees two changes with Marcus Horan and Rory Best returning to the starting XV. Malcolm O’Kelly is ruled out of contention due to his knee injury, so Donncha O’Callaghan will partner Paul O’Connell in the second row. Simon Easterby is the only remaining backrow selection remaining from the Pacific Islanders game with the return of David Wallace and Denis Leamy.
Girvan Dempsey will be winning his 70th cap for an Ireland team that will be captained by Brian O’Driscoll for the 34th time.
Ireland V Wales, RBS 6 Nations 2007:
15 - Girvan Dempsey Terenure College/Leinster 69
14 - Andrew Trimble Ballymena/Ulster 10
13 - Brian O’Driscoll (Captain) Blackrock College/Leinster 70
12 - Gordon D’Arcy Lansdowne/Leinster 26
11 - Denis Hickie St.Mary’s College/Leinster 53
10 - Ronan O’Gara Cork Constitution/Munster 66
9 - Peter Stringer Shannon/Munster 72
1 - Marcus Horan Shannon/Munster 42
2 - Rory Best Belfast Harlequins/Ulster 7
3 - John Hayes Bruff/Munster 68
4 - Donncha O’Callaghan Cork Constitution/Munster 30
5 - Paul O’Connell Young Munster/Munster 39
6 - Simon Easterby Llanelli 52
7 - David Wallace Garryowen/Munster 32
8 - Denis Leamy Cork Constitution/Munster 17
Replacements:
16 - Jerry Flannery Shannon/Munster 9
17 - Simon Best Belfast Harlequins/Ulster 13
18 - Neil Best Belfast Harlequins/Ulster 7
19 - Mick O’Driscoll Cork Constitution/Munster 5
20 - Isaac Boss Ballymena/Ulster 5
21 - Paddy Wallace Ballymena/Ulster 2
22 - Geordan Murphy Leicester 44
Not considered due to injury:
Malcolm O’Kelly (St.Mary’s College/Leinster) {Knee}
Harrison Foresees An Irish Win
30 January 2007, 3:10 pm
By Editor
Ulster lock Justin Harrison believes Ireland can bridge a 22-year gap and lift this season's RBS 6 Nations title, but only if they come to terms with being championship favourites.
Ulster lock Justin Harrison
Ulster lock Justin Harrison
© Inpho
With a big Ulster representation in the Irish Six Nations squad, the former Wallaby will be willing his provincial team-mates to victory over the coming weeks.
Harrison, whose one and only appearance against Ireland came when Ronan O'Gara kicked the men in green to a famous 18-9 win in November 2002, feels it is high time the Irish won the championship - particularly with the high-quality crop of players currently at Eddie O'Sullivan's disposal.
"Ireland's challenge will be to manage expectations because there is no doubt they have the ability to win the tournament," said the 32-year-old, who captained Ulster against the Ospreys last Saturday.
"Wales were faced with the same problem last year when they into the tournament as champions. Sometimes the burden of favouritism can weight heighly on a side.
"If Ireland can handle that, I can't look past them as championship winners. They have a settled side and are heading into the tournament on the back of a successful autumn."
And while Harrison's Ulster team-mate Neil Best will not be starting the championship opener against Wales, the Australian feels the tough tacking flanker can have a big impact on the Six Nations.
"Ireland have certainly acquired a harder edge in the past year and Neil has helped on that front. He is a physical player who operates right on the advantage line.
"Ireland haven't had a player like that for a while and he helps them impose themselves on opponents."
From the Irish Rugby Site - Harrison looks good in the Ulster Jumper
61 years between Grand SlamsWas the wait worth it - Ya betta baby