Post by Taxigirl on Feb 22, 2004 11:42:05 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/international/3503023.stm
Lansdowne Road, Dublin
Sunday, 22 February
Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Ireland have captain Brian O'Driscoll fit again for Sunday's RBS Six Nations clash with Wales at Lansdowne Road.
Kevin Maggs makes way for O'Driscoll and Donnacha O'Callaghan replaces Malcolm O'Kelly in the second row.
Wales have lost skipper Colin Charvis with a dislocated finger, so Martyn Williams takes over the armband and Jon Thomas starts in the back row.
Hooker Robin McBryde and lock Robert Sidoli return after injury, with Iestyn Thomas back at loose-head prop.
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/international/3499177.stm
Duncan Jones is the unlucky player to make way for Thomas, despite impressing in last week's win over Scotland.
The Osprey does not even make the replacements, because Gethin Jenkins provides cover for both loose and tight head positions.
Mefin Davies drops to the bench to make way for McBryde, while Gareth Llewellyn loses out completely because of Sidoli's return as the adaptable Michael Owen keeps his bench place.
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/international/3500867.stm
As expected, O'Driscoll regains the Ireland captaincy from Paul O'Connell, who led Ireland in their loss in France last weekend.
But Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has surprised many by dropping powerhouse Bath centre Maggs to the bench rather than D'Arcy.
In the pack, O'Callaghan will form an all-Munster second row with O'Connell after O'Kelly - who won his 60th cap in Paris - pays the penalty for a below-par display last week.
Wales have not beaten their Celtic rivals in the last four meetings between the sides, but came agonisingly close in Cardiff during last season's championship.
Ronan O'Gara's late drop-goal sealed a 25-24 thriller in Ireland's favour and there is every reason to believe that Sunday's showdown at Lansdowne Road could be just as close.
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Ireland: G Dempsey (Leinster); S Horgan (Leinster), G D'Arcy (Leinster), B O'Driscoll (Leinster, capt), T Howe (Ulster); R O'Gara (Munster), P Stringer (Munster); R Corrigan (Leinster), S Byrne (Leinster), J Hayes (Munster), D O'Callaghan (Munster), P O'Connell (Leinster), S Easterby (Llanelli), K Gleeson (Leinster), A Foley (Munster).
Replacements: F Sheahan (Munster), S Best (Ulster), M O'Kelly (Leinster), V Costello (Leinster), D Humphreys (Ulster), G Easterby (Rotherham), K Maggs (Bath).
Wales: G Thomas (Warriors); R Williams (Blues), S Parker (Warriors), I Harris (Blues), S Williams (Ospreys); S Jones (Scarlets), G Cooper (Warriors); I Thomas (Scarlets), R McBryde (Scarlets), A Jones (Ospreys), B Cockbain (Warriors), R Sidoli (Warriors), J Thomas (Ospreys), M Williams (Blues, capt), D Jones (Scarlets).
Replacements: M Davies (Warriors), G Jenkins (Warriors), M Owen (Dragons), A Popham (Leeds Tykes), D Peel (Scarlets), C Sweeney (Warriors), T Shanklin (Blues).
Referee: Joel Jutge (France).
C'MON ;D