News article – Style D 1191

15th October 2003 By Munster Rugby

Nine Munster players have been selected in the Ireland team to play Namibia at Aussie Stadium, Sydney on Sunday Sept. 19 (11am Irish Time). Ronan O’Gara & John Hayes are in the starting line-up.

Out half Ronan O’Gara wins his 35th cap and Munster prop John Hayes (36th Test) is selected for the first time since March last against England and Samoa Easterby (N0. 6), Alan Quinlan (N0. 7) and Eric Miller (N0. 8) make up a new look back row.

The selection of Hayes, sees Reggie Corrigan switch to loose head prop. Of Ireland’s 30 man World Cup squad, Gary Longwell (calf) and Anthony Foley (knee) were not considered due to injury.

Keith Wood will captain the Ireland side for the 33rd time in 55 internationals.

Kick-Off: Sydney – 8pm, Ireland – 11am.

Ireland’s record against Namibia is Played 2, Lost 2 (Windhoek, July 20th, 1991, 6-15 and Windhoek, July 27th, 1991, 15-26.).

The Ireland team to play Namibia is:

15 – Girvan Dempsey (Leinster – Terenure College); 14 – Shane Horgan (Leinster – Lansdowne) 13 – Brian O’Driscoll (Leinster – Blackrock College) 12 – Kevin Maggs (Bath) 11 – Denis Hickie (Leinster – St. Mary’s College) 10 – Ronan O’Gara (Munster – Cork Constitution) 9 – Peter Stringer (Munster – Shannon); 1 – Reggie Corrigan (Leinster – Greystones) 2 – Keith Wood (Munster – Garryowen) Captain 3 – John Hayes (Munster – Shannon) 4 – Malcolm O’Kelly (Leinster – St. Mary’s College) 5 – Paul O’Connell (Munster – Young Munster) 6 – Simon Easterby (Llanelli) 7 – Alan Quinlan (Munster – Shannon) 8 – Eric Miller (Leinster – Terenure College)

Replacements:

16 – Shane Byrne (Leinster – Blackrock College) 17 – Marcus Horan (Munster – Shannon) 18 – Donnacha O’Callaghan (Munster – Cork Constitution) 19 – Victor Costello (Leinster – St. Mary’s College) 20 – Guy Easterby (Rotherham) 21 – David Humphreys (Ulster – Dungannon) 22 – John Kelly (Munster – Cork Constitution)