Davidson, Quinlan, Robinson named in A team

IRELAND has made three changes in its side for the A international against Italy in Rovigo on Friday night.

With Rob Henderson and John Kelly promoted to the senior squad for this weekend’s RBS Six Nations clash in Rome, the Irish management have brought Leinster centre David Quinlan into the midfield while a fit-again Ted Robinson is named on the wing.

The other change from the side which drew with Scotland A last weekend, is in the second row where Jeremy Davidson comes in, Mick O’Driscoll dropping to the bench. Munster winger Mossie Lawlor is brought on to the replacements’ bench.

Meanwhile, UCC back-row forward Stephen Keogh has been named as captain of the Irish under-21 team to meet Italy in Viadana tomorrow.

Keogh is elevated as a result of injury to John Lyne, who is out due to injury. Four changes have been made, two of them because of injury.

Conor O’Loughlin, like Lyne, is ruled out and replaced by Fiach O’Loughlin (no relation). The Shannon scrumhalf came on as a substitute in last Saturday’s 13-5 victory over Scotland.

Lyne’s replacement is Eugene McGovern of Old Crescent. McGovern also played a part in last week’s victory.

Meanwhile, Dundee-based Neil McComb comes into the team as a direct replacement for Shane O’Connor, who drops to the bench, and David McAllister is similarly reduced to the role of reserve instead of Michael Rainey (Glasgow).

Ireland A team: J Staunton (Garryowen); J Topping (Ballymena), G D’Arcy (Lansdowne), D Quinlan (Blackrock), T Robinson (Buccaneers); B Everitt (London Irish), N Doak (Belfast Harlequins, capt); J Fitzpatrick (Dungannon), P Shields (Belfast Harlequins), S Best (Belfast Harlequins), D O’Callaghan (Cork Constitution), J Davidson (Dungannon), S Easterby (Llanelli), K Dawson (London Irish), E Miller (Terenure).

Replacements: J Blaney (Shannon), P Bracken (Galwegians), M O’Driscoll (Cork Constitution), A McCullen (Lansdowne), B O’Meara (Cork Constitution), M Lawlor (Shannon), B Cunningham (Dungannon).

Ireland U21: T Bowe (Queens), R Lane (UCC), B Murphy (UL Bohemians), K Matthews (UL Bohemians) D Warwick (Newport), M Rainey (Glasgow), F O’Loughlin (Shannon), E McGovern (Old Crescent), R Best (Belfast Harlequins), J Moran (UCD), D Gannon (UCD), N McComb (Dundee), J Muldoon (Galwegians), S Keogh (UCC), N Ronan (Lansdowne). Replacements: K Corrigan (UCD), D Fitzpatrick (Belfast Harlequins),

S O’Connor (Cork Constitution), C Potts (St Mary’s), R Shaw (Wasps), D McAllister (Terenure), J Hearty (UCD).