Stringer passed fit for Italy clash

Ireland scrum-half Peter Stringer was passed fit for tonight’s clash with Italy after recovering from a back spasm.

Stringer’s availability meant he started alongside Munster team-mate Ronan O’Gara at half-back for the 50th Test.

In another milestone O’Gara became Ireland’s most capped fly-half with his 73rd international appearance, eclipsing the mark set by Ulsterman David Humphreys.

Coach Eddie O’Sullivan made just two changes to the team that overwhelmed Bayonne 42-6 with Andrew Trimble replacing Brian O’Driscoll, who is sidelined with a fractured sinus, and Geordan Murphy filling the vacancy on the right wing.

Tonight’s meeting with Italy, Ireland’s last match before departing for the World Cup in France on September 5, was the national side’s first visit to Belfast in 53 years.

Italy coach Pierre Berbizier selected an experimental line-up showing seven changes to the side that thumped Japan 36-12 in St Vincent last Saturday.

But big names such as Mir Bergamasco, Alessandro Troncon and skipper Marco Bortolami provided experience down the spine of the team while Roland de Marigny started at fly-half in place of shoulder injury victim Ramiro Pez.