First Cap For Foley

Ireland Head Coach Joe Schmidt has included the uncapped Dave Foley in his starting 15 to face Georgia in the second test of the Guinness Series, while Robin Copeland could also win his first cap after being named amongst the replacements.

In total, 7 Munster players are included in the matchday squad.

Following last weekends 29-15 win over South Africa, Schmidt has rung the changes for Sunday’s clash at the AVIVA Stadium with Simon Zebo the only Munster player to retain his starting place, while Dave Kilcoyne, Tommy O’Donnell and Felix Jones are all promoted from the bench.

Kilcoyne will start at loosehead with Dave Foley making his Irish debut from a starting position in the second row. Since making his long awaited Heineken Cup debut last January, impressive form in the red of Munster saw Foley feature for Emerging Ireland in their successful 2014 Nations Cup campaign. This coupled with a strong start to the current season sees the Clonmel native win his first international cap.

Tommy O’Donnell’s good form this season is rewarded with his second international start. Another native of Tipperary, the back row forward will start at 7, while left winger Simon Zebo and full back Felix Jones complete the Munster representatives in the starting line-up.

Despite not being included in the original 37 man squad for the Guinness Series, Robin Copeland this week trained with Ireland at Carton House and is another Munster representative in line to make his Ireland debut after being included amongst the replacements.

Ian Keatley is also named on the bench and could make his first appearance of the current Guinness Series this weekend.

Ireland v Georgia, Guinness Series Sunday 17th November, 2014 – KO 2:30pm with live coverage on RTE2 #IrlVGeo #ShoulderToShoulder

Ireland
15. Felix Jones (Shannon/Munster) 7
14. Craig Gilroy (Dungannon/Ulster) 5
13. Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster) 7
12. Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster) 79
11. Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster) 9
10. Ian Madigan (Blackrock/Leinster) 11
9. Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster) 56 CAPTAIN

8. Robbie Diack (Malone/Ulster) 1
7. Tommy O'Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster) 5
6. Dominic Ryan (Lansdowne/Leinster) *
5. Mike McCarthy (Lansdowne/Leinster) 16
4. Dave Foley (UL Bohemians/Munster) *
3. Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster) 42
2. Richardt Strauss (Old Wesley/Leinster) 5
1. Dave Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster) 11

Replacements
16. Sean Cronin (St Mary's College/Leinster) 36
17. Jack McGrath (St Mary's College/Leinster) 11
18. Rodney Ah You (Buccaneers/Connacht) 2
19. Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster) 18
20. Robin Copeland (Young Munster/Munster) *
21. Kieran Marmion (Galwegians/Connacht) 2
22. Ian Keatley (Young Munster/Munster) 2
23. Stuart Olding (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster) 1

*Denotes uncapped player