| In all there are 12 changes to the starting team, with only captain Brian O’Driscoll, Paul O’Connell and Ulster's Neil Best being retained. In the backs, O’Driscoll is joined by Girvan Dempsey, Andrew Trimble, Gordon D’Arcy, Denis Hickie, Ronan O’Gara and Peter Stringer.
Marcus Horan, Rory Best and John Hayes come into the front row, with Donncha O’Callaghan, Simon Easterby and Denis Leamy completing the forwards.
Commenting on the selection, Eddie O’Sullivan said, “The other players in the squad need game time and this match gives us that opportunity. You cannot replicate the same levels of intensity and physicality in training as you can in a match, so Thursday night will be vital for their preparation. This will be a full on match and will give the team the levels of contact we need.
Hooker Rory Best said, “I delighted to finally get on the park and play a game. It’s been a good week, after being named in the World Cup squad and now getting the chance to move up and play my first game. We have moved on from all our fitness work in the preseason and the last couple of weeks have seen us sharpen up on our ball skills and team patterns. I know that I need to put all of that together on the park, so Thursday night should be a tough game and allow us to get that important first match under our belts.
“The training here (Capbreton) has been great and I think we have all raised the bar another level. The guys who did not play last week are also eager to get a game, so we are looking forward to it”.
The Ireland team held their Captains run session this morning and all came through the session with out any injury. David Wallace (ankle) and Simon Best (back spasm) took part in a rehab session as they recover from their injuries. The Ireland team will be playing in blue jerseys on Thursday night when they play Bayonne as this is not a full representative game. Ulster players Paddy Wallace and Bryan Young may also feature in the match having been named as replacements.
The Ireland selection to play Bayonne on Thursday, 16th August 2007 in the in the Stade Jean Dauger at 9pm is as follows:
Player Club
15 - Girvan Dempsey Terenure College/Leinster
14 - Andrew Trimble Ballymena/Ulster
13 - Brian O’Driscoll Captain UCD/Leinster
12 - Gordon D’Arcy Lansdowne/Leinster
11 - Denis Hickie St.Mary’s College/Leinster
10 - Ronan O’Gara Cork Constitution/Munster
9 - Peter Stringer Shannon/Munster
1 - Marcus Horan Shannon/Munster
2 - Rory Best Belfast Harlequins/Ulster
3 - John Hayes Bruff/Munster
4 - Donncha O’Callaghan Cork Constitution/Munster
5 - Paul O’Connell Young Muster/Munster
6 - Simon Easterby Llanelli
7 - Neil Best Belfast Harlequins/Ulster
8 - Denis Leamy Cork Constitution/Munster
Replacements:
16 - Frankie Sheahan Cork Constitution/Munster
17 - Bryan Young Ballymena/Ulster
18 - Malcolm O’Kelly St. Mary’s College/Leinster
19 - Alan Quinlan Shannon/Munster
20 - Eoin Reddan Wasps
21 - Paddy Wallace Ballymena/Ulster
22 - Geordan Murphy Leicester
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