O'Sullivan sticks with winning formula

Eddie O'Sullivan has chosen the same team that beat South Africa recently for Saturday's Test against Argentina at Lansdowne Road.

Tue, 23 Nov, 2004 - 13:04

Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan has returned to the side which defeated South Africa 17-12 for Saturday’s final autumn Test against Argentina.

O’Sullivan made eight changes for the 55-6 victory over the United States in order to give his fringe players a run-out but has fielded his strongest available line-up for the Pumas clash.

Wasps flanker Jonny O’Connor returns at openside to win his second cap, keeping Denis Leamy – who impressed against the Eagles – out of the squad, although his inclusion is subject to a fitness test.

O’Sullivan said: “O’Connor has a knee injury. He picked up a knock in training yesterday but his recovery has been good and we expect him to be fit for Saturday. We will make the final decision on Thursday.”

IRELAND:

15 - Girvan Dempsey (Leinster – Terenure College)

14 – Geordan Murphy (Leicester)

13 – Brian O’Driscoll (Leinster - Blackrock College) Captain

12 – Shane Horgan (Leinster – Lansdowne)

11 – Denis Hickie (Leinster – St. Mary’s College)

10 – Ronan O’Gara (Munster – Cork Constitution)

9 – Peter Stringer (Munster – Shannon)

1 – Reggie Corrigan (Leinster – Greystones)

2 – Shane Byrne (Leinster – Blackrock College)

3 – John Hayes (Munster – Bruff)

4 – Malcolm O’Kelly (Leinster – St. Mary’s College)

5 – Paul O’Connell (Munster – Young Munster)

6 – Simon Easterby (Llanelli)

7 – Johnny O’Connor (Wasps)

8 – Anthony Foley (Munster – Shannon)

Replacements: 16 – Frank Sheahan (Munster – Cork Constitution), 17 – Marcus Horan (Munster – Shannon), 18 – Donncha O’Callaghan (Munster – Cork Constitution), 19 – Eric Miller (Leinster – Terenure College), 20 – Guy Easterby (Leinster – Blackrock College), 21 – David Humphreys (Ulster – Dungannon), 22 – Kevin Maggs (Ulster – Belfast Harlequins).

Not considered due to injury: Victor Costello (Leinster - St. Mary’s College), Kieran Dawson (London Irish), Gordon D’Arcy (Leinster - Lansdowne), Keith Gleeson (Leinster – St. Mary’s College), John Kelly (Munster – Cork Constitution), Neil McMillan (Ulster – Ballymena), John O’Sullivan (Connacht – Garryowen), David Wallace (Munster – Garryowen), Roger Wilson (Ulster - Belfast Harlequins).