Ireland team to play Argentina announced

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has named recent rugby league convert Brian Carney on the right wing in the team to play Argentina in the first test of the summer tour this weekend.

Carney is the only uncapped player in the starting XV and is joined in the back three by Gavin Duffy, who starts at full back for the first time for Ireland.

There is a new centre partnership in the shape of Andrew Trimble and Kieran Lewis, who starts the game at inside centre.

Paddy Wallace will also form the halfback combination with Isaac Boss.

In the forwards, Jerry Flannery starts at hooker for the first time since the summer tour last year.

Malcolm O'Kelly also returns to the side after missing the entire RBS 6 Nations Championship due to injury.

In the backrow, Jamie Heaslip makes his second start for Ireland at number 8 and is flanked by Neil Best and the experienced Keith Gleeson.

The team will be captained by Simon Best for the first time.

“This tour is about allowing players to challenge for the World Cup squad and it starts this weekend in the first test against Argentina,” said Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan.

“Players have to put their hands up over the next two weeks to put their case forward. Now that might put pressure on players, but there is no more pressurised an environment then international rugby and the world cup, so this will be a good test for them.”

The Ireland team to play Argentina on Saturday, 26th May 2007 in the Estadio Brigadier Estanislao Lopez del Barrio Centenario, Santa Fe at 4.10pm local time (8.10pm Irish time) is as follows:

Ireland: Duffy, Carney, Trimble, Lewis, Bowe, Wallace, Boss, Young, Flannery, S Best (Capt.), Hogan, O''Kelly, N Best, Gleeson, Heaslip.