Ireland have named their starting line-up to face Italy in Rome. The Irish team management have opted for a strong Munster presence and nine of the European Cup semi-finalists are on the team for Saturday’s Six Nations opener.
Gatland has selected the entire Munster back-row as well as the half-back pairing of Ronan O’Gara and Peter Stringer and will be hoping this nucleus can carry forward their form at club level into the international arena.
The team includes five changes from the side who were narrowly beaten by South Africa in Irelands last international. Injuries to Kieron Dawson, Brian O’Driscoll, Denis Hickie, and Eric Miller have resulted in caps for Michael Mullins, Shane Horgan, Alan Quinlan and David Wallace whilst Mick Galwey returns to take the place of Gary Longwell.
15. Girvan Dempsey (Terenure)
14. Shane Horgan (Lansdowne)
13. Mike Mullins (Young Munster)
12. Rob Henderson (Wasps)
11. Tyrone Howe (Ballymena)
10. Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution)
9. Peter Stringer (Shannon)
1. Peter Clohessy (Young Munster)
2. Keith Wood (Harlequins)
3. John Hayes (Shannon)
4. Mick Galwey (Shannon)
5. Malcolm O'Kelly (St Mary's)
6. Alan Quinlan (Shannon)
7. David Wallace (Garryowen)
8. Anthony Foley (Shannon)
Replacements.
16. Frank Sheahan (Cork Constitution)
17. Emmet Byrne (St.Mary's College)
18. Jeremy Davidson (Castres)
19. Andy Ward (Ballynahinch)
20. Brian O'Meara (Cork Constitution)
21. David Humphreys (Dungannon)
22. Kevin Maggs (Bath)
