Humphreys to captain Ireland against Oz

Out half David Humphreys will lead Ireland against Australia at the Subiaco Oval, Perth on Saturday, June 7, (kick off 10am Irish time).

In his 53rd Test appearance, Humphreys leads the team in place of the non-touring injured Brian O’Driscoll, whose outside centre position is taken over by Geordan Murphy. His previous 16 caps were won at either full back or wing.

Reggie Corrigan, who has made 20 appearances for Ireland at loose head prop has been selected for the first time in a Test at tight head.

James Topping returns to Test duty after a three years absence at right wing to win his eighth cap. His last international appearance was against the USA on tour in 2000.

There are eight changes, six in personnel and two positional, from the starting Ireland XV which defeated Australia by 18 – 9 in Lansdowne Road last November. Backs Shane Horgan, Brian O’Driscoll and Denis Hickie and forwards John Hayes and Anthony Foley are not in Australia because of injury.

Ronan O’Gara is replaced at out half by Humphreys, while Reggie Corrigan switches from one side to the other in the front row and Victor Costello, who played at No 6 in Dublin, is now picked at No 8.

The Ireland team is: -

15 – Girvan Dempsey (Leinster – Terenure College)

14 – James Topping (Ulster – Ballymena)

13 – Geordan Murphy (Leicester)

12 - Kevin Maggs (Bath)

11 – John Kelly (Munster – Cork Constitution)

10 – David Humphreys (Ulster – Dungannon) Captain

9 – Peter Stringer (Munster – Shannon)

1 – Marcus Horan (Munster – Shannon)

2 - Shane Byrne (Leinster – Blackrock College)

3 - Reggie Corrigan (Leinster – Greystones)

4 – Gary Longwell (Ulster – Ballymena)

5 – Malcolm O’Kelly (Leinster- St Mary’s College)

6 - Alan Quinlan (Munster – Shannon)

7 – Keith Gleeson (Leinster – St Mary’s College)

8 – Victor Costello (Leinster – St Mary’s College)