Carney to tackle Argentine beef
Ireland have named rugby league convert Brian Carney on the right wing for Saturday’s opening Test against Argentina in Santa Fe.
Carney, the former Great Britain vice-captain and Wigan favourite, makes his international union debut after impressing for Munster since switching codes in March.
The 30-year-old has been fast-tracked into the Test team and is the only uncapped player in Ireland’s starting line-up.
Ulster’s Andrew Trimble and Kieran Lewis of Leinster forge the centre partnership, while Paddy Wallace and Isaac Boss form an all-Ulster half-back pairing.
Munster hooker Jerry Flannery makes his first Ireland start since last summer’s tour to New Zealand and Australia.
At lock, Leinster veteran Malcolm O’Kelly – Ireland’s most capped player – returns after missing the entire RBS 6 Nations campaign with a knee injury.
Ulster prop Simon Best leads the team with his provincial team-mate and namesake Neil – a star against South Africa and Australia last autumn – is restored to the back row.
Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan has rested his entire first-choice Six Nations starting line-up for the tour, which he is using for World Cup squad development.
“This tour is about allowing players to challenge for the World Cup squad and it starts this weekend in the first Test against Argentina,” he said.
“Players have to put their hands up over the next two weeks to put their case forward.
“Now that might put pressure on players but there is no more pressurised an environment then international rugby and the World Cup, so this will be a good test for them.”
Ireland: 15 Gavin Duffy (Connacht), 14 Brian Carney (Munster), 13 Andrew Trimble (Ulster), 12 Kieran Lewis (Leinster), 11 Tommie Bowe (Ulster), 10 Paddy Wallace (Ulster), 9 Issac Boss (Ulster), 8 Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), 7 Keith Gleeson (Leinster), 6 Neil Best (Ulster), 5 Malcolm O’Kelly (Leinster), 4 Trevor Hogan (Leinster), 3 Simon Best (Ulster, captain), 2 Jerry Flannery (Munster), 1 Bryan Young (Ulster).
Replacements: 16 Bernard Jackman (Leinster), 17 Tony Buckley (Munster), 18 Mick O’Driscoll (Munster), 19 Stephen Ferris (Ulster), 20 Tomas O’Leary (Munster), 21 Geordan Murphy (Leicester), 22 Barry Murphy (Munster).
Date: Saturday 26th May 2007
Time: 16.10 (local time)
Venue: Santa Fe
Referee: Lyndon Bray (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Kelvin Deaker (New Zealand), Phillip Bosch (South Africa)
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
