This is one hell of an ‘A’ team
Ireland Wolfhounds coach Dan McFarland has been given access to some of the country’s biggest hitters for Friday’s match with England Saxons.
Sean O’Brien returns to a green jersey, at openside, as does Keith Earls [outside centre].
Felix Jones, starting at fullback, is named captain and in a back three with Fergus McFadden and Luke Fitzgerald. Gordon D’Arcy partners Earls in midfield.
The half backs are Ian Madigan and Kieran Marmion with Isaac Boss and Noel Reid, who can also cover midfield, in reserve.
O’Brien is in an all-Leinster back row, alongside Dominic Ryan and Jack Conan. Iain Henderson and Mike McCarthy are in the second row, with a chance to cover Paul O’Connell and Devin Toner, against Italy, up for grabs.
It is an all-Leinster front row, too, as Jack McGrath is joined by Richardt Strauss and Mike Ross. The inclusion of Ross would raise the possibility of Marty Moore starting the Six Nations opener against the Italians.
IRELAND WOLFHOUNDS: Jones; McFadden, Earls, D’Arcy, Fitzgerald; Madigan, Marmion; McGrath, Strauss, Ross; Henderson, McCarthy; Ryan, O’Brien, Conan.
Replacements: Herring, Bent, White, Diack, McKeon, Boss, Reid, Gilroy.
England have also named their Saxons XV and, as expected, Sam Burgess gets his first taste of action in a white shirt.
There was some surprise that Chris Ashton got the nod ahead of Christian Wade.
.@SamBurgess8 set to make his international rugby union debut for England Saxons: http://t.co/zCzJUmixPh pic.twitter.com/fvGn1THHqr
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) January 29, 2015
