Healy to debut for Paddies

11 Nov 2009

Prop Cian Healy will start his first Test when Ireland face Australia at Croke Park on Sunday.

With Marcus Horan out until next year, Healey will earn his debut at loosehead. The Irish were facing a front-row crisis, but John Hayes has conveniently returned from a five-week suspension for stamping on Healey’s face, while hooker Jerry Flannery has overcome his injury worries.

The only other change to the Grand Slam-winning team that beat Wales is Paddy Wallace replacing Gordon D’Arcy at inside centre. Captain Brian O’Driscoll will make his 100th Test appearance, having played 93 for Ireland and six for the Lions.

Ireland – 15 Rob Kearney (Leinster); 14 Tommy Bowe (Ospreys), 13 Brian O’Driscoll (Leinster, c), 12 Paddy Wallace (Ulster), 11 Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster); 10 Ronan O’Gara (Munster), 9 Tomas O’Leary (Munster); 1 Cian Healy (Leinster), 2 Jerry Flannery (Munster), 3 John Hayes (Munster); 4 Donncha O’Callaghan (Munster), 5 Paul O’Connell (Munster); 6 Stephen Ferris (Ulster), 7 David Wallace (Munster), 8 Jamie Heaslip (Leinster).
Subs: 16 Sean Cronin (Connacht), 17 Tom Court (Ulster), 18 Leo Cullen (Leinster), 19 Dennis Leamy (Munster), 20 Eoin Reddan (Leinster), 21 Jonathan Sexton (Leinster), 22 Keith Earls (Munster).



6 Comments

  • 1.Just Another Paddy: Reply to this comment
    11 Nov 2009, 17:48 pm

    Healy will be a class act, of that there’s little doubt.

    Sexton should be there instead of O’Gara but other than that we are in good nick….

    Here’s to a great game…..

  • 2.jockstrap: Reply to this comment
    11 Nov 2009, 18:00 pm

    Woo Hoo, and a Star is born.

  • 3.puff: Reply to this comment
    11 Nov 2009, 18:09 pm

    Solid starting 15.
    Not sure about the bench.
    Where is D’Arcy?

  • 4.jockstrap: Reply to this comment
    11 Nov 2009, 18:24 pm

    D’Arcy has being playing way off the pace recently, he’s still a good player but he lost out to Keith Earls as he can play anywhere in the backs and has buket loads of talent. As for the bench:

    16 – Sean Cronin* (Talented younster)
    17 – Tom Court (Ireland have low quality depth at Tighthead)
    18 – Leo Cullen (V Good)
    19 – Denis Leamy (V Good)
    20 – Eoin Reddan (Solid performer)
    21 – Johnathan Sexton* (Talented younster – a Superior O’Gara clone who tackles well)
    22 – Keith Earls (Talented younster)

  • 5.Just Another Paddy: Reply to this comment
    11 Nov 2009, 18:25 pm

    “Where is D’Arcy?”

    Lost his form. He hasn’t broken a line in about three years. Injury took his pace. Crying shame….As good as BOD in his prime….

  • 6.Waster: Reply to this comment
    11 Nov 2009, 22:27 pm

    #5 Just Another Paddy: Yeah it is a shame about that, very good underated player, BOD lucky to play outside him all those times,

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