| This Sunday will mark a huge occassion for Ulster's Stephen Ferris. Having been included in the Ireland trainingpanel for the Autumn Internationl seres, the 21 year old finds himself in the starting line-up for this Sunday's match against the Pacific Islands, the last international to be played at Lansdowne Road before it is re-developed.
Stephen will be joined in the starting XV by his Ulster team-mate Paddy Wallace, who earns his first international start having come on as a replacement for Ronan O'Gara during the match against South Africa earlier this month. Ulster prop Bryan Young retains his place in the front row.
In all Eddie O'Sullivan has made nine changes to the Ireland team that will play the Pacific Islanders in the Guinness Autumn series this Sunday from the side that started against Australia last weekend. Leinster's Jamie Heaslip also makes his first start in the backrow while19 year old Leinster back Luke Fitzgerald will become the youngest player to play for Ireland since Alistair McKibbin against Wales in 1977.
The other changes to the starting team see four personnel changes in the backs. Girvan Dempsey moves into fullback in place of Geordan Murphy and Shane Horgan switches to centre from his right wing in place of Gordon D’Arcy, with the uncapped Fitzgerald lining up on Horgan’s wing. Paddy Wallace makes his first start for Ireland at outhalf as he swaps his spot in the replacements with Ronan O’Gara. The final change in the backline is the return of the 71 times capped Peter Stringer at scrumhalf instead of Isaac Boss.
In the forwards, Frankie Sheahan has been named at hooker and Malcolm O’Kelly makes his first start for Ireland since last seasons RBS Six Nations Championship. The backrow unit has been totally changed, with Simon Easterby leading in the experience stakes ahead of the uncapped duo of Heaslip at No.8 and Ferris at openside flanker. The team will be captained by Brian O’Driscoll for the 33rd time in winning his 70th cap.
The Ireland team to play the Pacific Islanders in the Guinness Autumn Series in Lansdowne Road on Sunday 26th November 2006 at 14.45hrs is as follows:
IRELAND; 15 - Girvan Dempsey; 14 - Luke Fitzgerald; 13 - Brian O’Driscoll (Captain); 12 - Shane Horgan; 11 - Denis Hickie; 10 - Paddy Wallace; 9 - Peter Stringer; 1 - Bryan Young; 2 - Frankie Sheahan; 3 - John Hayes; 4 - Malcolm O’Kelly; 5 - Paul O'Connell; 6 - Simon Easterby; 7 - Stephen Ferris; 8 - Jamie Heaslip
Replacements:16 – Rory Best; 17 – Simon Best; 18 – Donncha O’Callaghan; 19 – Denis Leamy; 20 – Isaac Boss; 21 – Ronan O’Gara; 22 – Gordon D’Arcy
Not Considered due to injury: Andrew Trimble {Hamstring}, Marcus Horan {Calf}
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