The Ireland team to play New Zealand in the third test of the summer tour has been named and shows three changes, two in the backs and one in the forward pack, from the side that took the field in the second test in Christchurch.
Paddy Wallace, who was called out as a replacement for the tour after Gordon D’Arcy returned home injured, goes straight into the side at inside centre in place of D’Arcy.
Keith Earls has recovered from his chest injury he picked up in the first test and is selected on the left wing in place of Andrew Trimble, who moves to the replacements.
Peter O’Mahony, who came off the bench during the second test, is selected to start at No.8 as Jamie Heaslip is ruled out due to a broken finger. Back row Chris Henry comes into the replacements to fill the spot left after O’Mahony’s promotion to the starting fifteen.
Ireland Team & replacements (3rd test v New Zealand, Steinlager Series, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, Saturday, 23rd June 2012, kick-off 7.35pm:
15 – Rob Kearney (UCD – Leinster)
14 – Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere – Leinster)
13 – Brian O’Driscoll (UCD – Leinster) Captain
12 – Paddy Wallace (Ballymena – Ulster)
11 – Keith Earls (Young Munster – Munster)
10 – Jonathan Sexton (St.Mary’s College – Leinster)
9 – Conor Murray (Garryowen – Munster)
1 – Cian Healy (Clontarf – Leinster)
2 – Rory Best (Banbridge – Ulster)
3 – Mike Ross (Clontarf – Leinster)
4 – Dan Tuohy (Ballymena – Ulster)
5 – Donnacha Ryan (Shannon – Munster)
6 – Kevin McLaughlin (St.Mary’s College – Leinster)
7 – Sean O’Brien (Clontarf – Leinster)
8 – Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution – Munster)
Replacements:
16 – Sean Cronin (St.Mary’s College – Leinster)
17 – Declan Fitzpatrick (Dungannon – Ulster)
18 – Donncha O’Callaghan (Cork Constitution – Munster)
19 – Chris Henry (Belfast Harlequins – Ulster)
20 – Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne – Leinster)
21 – Ronan O’Gara (Cork Constitution – Munster)
22 – Andrew Trimble (Ballymena – Ulster)
