Costello for Foley was a tough call, says O’Sullivan

ANTHONY FOLEY has been dropped in favour of Victor Costello for Ireland’s World Cup quarter-final clash with France at the Telstra Dome on Sunday.

Ultra keen competition for back-row places and the unexpected major success of Simon Easterby at No 6 has seen Foley, one of the senior pros in the squad, omitted entirely from the 22.

The only other change from the starting line-up against Australia last week sees John Kelly continue on the wing, where he replaced the injured Denis Hickie at half time. Kelly's Cork Constitution team-mate Anthony Horgan has been called into the replacements, which means he togs out for the first time in the World Cup.