THE Ireland team to meet Italy at Lansdowne Road on Saturday shows two changes from the side that lost to Australia last November. There is a first senior cap for Eric Miller, the 21 year old Leicester back row forward, and a return to the international arena for the London Irish full back Conor O'Shea.
The team was chosen in the Algarve in Portugal, where the Ireland squad is undergoing winter warm weather training, yesterday evening. But there was no celebration for Miller last night after he heard he had been chosen he was in bed recovering from influenza.
Miller comes in for Denis McBride on the open side flank, while O'Shea takes over from Jim Staples, who is not available because he is recovering from a fractured jaw. Stephen McIvor, who came into the side against Australia at scrum half when Niall Hogan had to withdraw because of an ankle injury, retains his place, with Hogan named in the replacements. Keith Wood, who took over the captaincy against the Wallabies in Hogan's absence, is again named as captain.
O'Shea won the last of his 13 caps in the World Cup quarter final against France in Durban in 1995. He was on the Ireland A side that defeated South Africa A in November but played on the wing. He scored two tries. He is not a contracted Ireland player but his recent form with London Irish earned him a place in the 37 man panel to travel to the Algarve.
Miller, who celebrated his 21st birthday last October and is still eligible for the Ireland under 21 side, has an excellent rugby pedigree. He was capped for Ireland schools while a pupil at Wesley College and was on the side that won the Triple Crown in 1993. He also played for the schools team the following year. He joined Old Wesley and then went to Leicester last season, during which he was capped for Leinster at senior level and was a member of the Ireland under 21 team that won the Triple Crown. He was also capped for Ireland at A level last season and played on the open side flank for the Ireland A side that beat South African A in November.
He gave an outstanding display for Leicester against Harlequins in the English League last Saturday, playing at number eight, and has contributed to the club's advance to the semi final of the European Cup they play the holders Toulouse in that semi final on Saturday and to Leicester's top placing in the English first division league table.
Miller, who is 6 foot 3 inches and 15 stone 7 lbs, said last night, "I am feeling a bit under the weather at the moment and was unable to train today, but I am quite sure I will be fine in a day or two. I know there was speculation at home that I might get in, but I honestly did not expect to be chosen. It's a big but a really great surprise and it goes without saying that I am absolutely delighted. It should hasten my recovery.
"I have had a lot of good fortune and help in my career and I have learned a great deal at Leicester playing in a side like that. You could not have two better teachers than Leicester coach Bob Dwyer and the captain, Dean Richards."
In opting for only two changes the selectors have kept faith with Jonathan Bell in the centre, despite some indifferent performances, and Paul Burke has held off the challenge of David Humphreys and Eric Elwood for the out half berth. In recalling O'Shea at full back the selectors opted to retain Dominic Crotty on the wing, where he won his first cap against Australia. However, he moved to full back after 14 minutes when Staples got injured.
The selectors have named only two backs, Humphreys and Hogan, and four forwards in the replacements. McBride is included, and Paul Flavin is preferred to Henry Hurley.
Hurley and Gabriel Fulcher were unable to travel out with the team to the Algarve on Sunday morning. Hurley forgot his passport and Fulcher mislaid his. Hurley travelled out on Sunday evening, but Fulcher, who had to get a new passport yesterday, did not arrive in the Algarve until yesterday afternoon.
Commenting on Miller's fitness Whelan added said he had been told by his doctor that Miller would recover in a day or so. "I fully expect he will be able to do some training with us, he may even a run tomorrow. We have no other injury problems. Jonathan Bell, who has been injured, has been able to take a full part in the training.
