Eddie has announced the team for super Saturday. The main change is the addition of Trevor Hogan and Mick O’Driscoll, Mick will come in for Paul O’Connell who fractured his thumb.
Ireland: Dempsey; Horgan, B O'Driscoll (capt), D'Arcy, Hickie; O'Gara, Stringer; Horan/S Best, R Best, Hayes, O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll, S Easterby, D Wallace, Leamy.
Replacements: Flannery, S Best/B Young, T Hogan, N Best, Reddan, P Wallace, Trimble.
Paul O'Connell has been ruled out of next Saturday's Six Nations game against Italy after fracturing a thumb in his right hand.
O'Connell will see a specialist on Monday to assess the extent of the damage and if surgery is required.
Mick O'Driscoll is likely to come into the starting team with Trevor Hogan the leading contender to join the bench.
It was a muted celebration for Ireland after a close victory against Scotland. The Irish team seemed completely different to the team of two weeks ago, just when expectations were building; Scotland delivered a reality check to bring us down to earth with a bang. Only a couple of days ago we were starting to think about glory at the World Cup and that 2007 could be Ireland’s year. Instead we will be hoping for a win against Italy which is likely to be a tough match for Ireland going by yesterday’s performance.
But all is not lost, the Triple Crown will once again remain in our trophy cabinet for another a year and while the grand slam has evaded us, lessons are being learnt. Hopefully this can still be Ireland’s crowning year and that we see out the Six Nations in style with a good win against Italy.
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Eddie O’Sullivan has named his starting team for this weekend’s game against Scotland in Murrayfield.
The starting line-up is an exact replica of the team who beat England, why change a good thing? The only change made in the entire squad has been the inclusion of Eoin Reddan for an injured Isaac Boss.
After Soctland suffered a defeat against Italy they have nothing to lose, “They will come out firing on all cylinders," as Eddie put it. So it should be an exciting match, hopefully Ireland can rack up some points.
Ireland: G Dempsey; S Horgan, B O'Driscoll, G D'Arcy, D Hickie; R O'Gara, P Stringer; M Horan, R Best, J Hayes, D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell, S Easterby, D Wallace, D Leamy.
Replacements: J Flannery, S Best, M O'Driscoll, N Best, E Reddan, P Wallace, A Trimble.
Ulster scrum-half Isaac Boss will not be available to play this weekend against Scotland due to a shoulder injury. Boss picked up the injury playing for Ulster against Scarlets in the Magners League; it will not be till next week before we find out the severity of the injury.
With Boss out Wasps scrum-half Eoin Reddan will be promoted to the Irish squad which will be announced on Tuesday.
No other injuries have been reported, Peter Stringer is expected to start at scrum-half on Saturday as usual.
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