Rugby: Stringer dropped from crucial clash

Scrum-half Peter Stringer has been dropped from Saturday’s Six Nations clash with Scotland at Murrayfield. His place is taken by Guy Easterby, who plays his rugby in Wales with Llanelli.

Stringer drops to the replacement bench for the crucial clash, despite an outstanding performance for Munster in their 52.10 defeat of Celtic rivals Cardiff in Limerick last weekend.

In other selections, Shane Horgan will partner his Leinster team-mate Brian O’Driscoll and Jeremy Davidson partners Malcolm O’Kelly in the second row.

The full Irish XV reads: G Dempsey, G Murphy, B O'Driscoll, S Horgan, D Hickie,

R O'Gara, G Easterby, P Clohessy, K Wood (capt), J Hayes, J Davidson, M O'Kelly, S Easterby, K Dawson and A Foley.