O'Gara to captain Ireland
Posted Tue, 11 Mar 2008
Ronan O'Gara will captain Ireland in their Six Nations rugby union international against England at Twickenham on Saturday.
Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan gave experienced outside-half O'Gara the honour of leading his country for the first time after Brian O'Driscoll, the regular captain was ruled out with the hamstring tear he suffered in Saturday's 16-12 defeat at home to Wales.
Geordan Murphy, who missed the Wales game with an achilles problem, has been restored at fullback where he was man-of-the-match in Ireland's 34-13 victory over Scotland last month.
However, his selection depends upon the Leicester playmaker passing a fitness test later this week.
O'Driscoll's injury and Murphy's recall led O'Sullivan to announce a re-shaped back division on Tuesday.
Robert Kearney has moved back to left wing from fullback with Tommy Bowe switching flanks.
Meanwhile Shane Horgan has come off the right wing to play at outside centre where he will form a new midfield partnership with Andrew Trimble.
Ireland are currently third in the Six Nations table, ahead of England on points difference, heading into this Saturday's final round of matches.
Both teams have been beaten twice in this season's Championship and either O'Sullivan or England coach Brian Ashton could find themselves out of a job if they are on the losing side again this weekend.
Ireland have won their last four matches against England, a run that includes two Twickenham triumphs, but a defeat on Saturday would represent their worst performance in the Championship since 1999.
Ireland: Geordan Murphy; Tommy Bowe, Andrew Trimble, Shane Horgan, Robert Kearney; Ronan O'Gara (capt), Eoin Reddan; Jamie Heaslip, David Wallace, Denis Leamy; Paul O'Connell, Donncha O'Callaghan; John Hayes, Rory Best, Marcus Horan
Replacements: Bernard Jackman, Tony Buckley, Mick O'Driscoll, Simon Easterby, Peter Stringer, Paddy Wallace, Luke Fitzgerald
AFP
