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Neil Best handed Ireland recall

Boss on bench for All Blacks clash

Ireland made two changes to the starting XV which helped clinch the Triple Crown, by beating England in March, for Saturday's first of two Test against New Zealand at Waikato Stadium.

Ulster flank Neil Best comes in for his third cap to replace the injured Simon Easterby, while Donncha O'Callaghan takes over from the injured Malcolm O'Kelly (groin) in the second row.

Bryan Young and Isaac Boss – the only uncapped players in the 22-man squad – have been included as the replacement prop and scrum-half respectively.

Boss formerly played for the Chiefs and the Hurricanes in his native New Zealand, but now represents Ulster and qualifies for Ireland through his grandmother.

Boss is in the side after injury ruled usual reserve halfback Eion Reddin out of the tour.

Ireland: 15 Geordan Murphy, 14 Shane Horgan, 13 Brian O'Driscoll (captain), 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Andrew Trimble, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Peter Stringer, 8 Denis Leamy, 7 David Wallace, 6 Neil Best, 5 Paul O'Connell, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 John Hayes, 2 Jerry Flannery, 1 Marcus Horan.
Replacements: 16 Rory Best, 17 Bryan Young, 18 Mick O'Driscoll, 19 Keith Gleeson, 20 Isaac Boss, 21 Denis Hickie, 22 Girvan Dempsey.

Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)

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