Best to spearhead Ireland A

Ulster prop Simon Best will captain Ireland A for next Wednesday’s clash with Australia at Thomond Park.

Best, who only last month completed his comeback from a broken leg, leads a side which contains the traditional blend of youth and experience.

Denis Hickie and Keith Gleeson are among the seasoned campaigners while Barry Murphy and Jamie Heaslip are two of the exciting young prospects on show.

Team: L Fitzgerald (Leinster), J Kelly (Munster), B Murphy (Munster), K Lewis (Leinster), D Hickie (Leinster), J Staunton (Wasps), E Reddan (Wasps), R McCormack (Leinster), J Fogarty (Connacht), S Best (Ulster, captain), M McCullough (Ulster), T Hogan (Leinster), S Ferris (Ulster), K Gleeson (Leinster), J Heaslip (Leinster).

Substitutes: B Blaney (Leinster), R Hogan (Connacht), M O’Driscoll (Munster), R Wilson (Ulster), C Willis (Leinster), M McHugh (Connacht), R Kearney (Leinster).