Henshaw named in ireland team for wales clash

 

Robbie Henshaw has been named at inside centre in the Ireland rugby team to play Wales in the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

The Athlone man will be partnered in the centre by Leinster star Luke Fitzgerald as Ireland continue their preparations for the World Cup next month.

Paul O'Connell returns to captain the side in his last international on home soil and is partnered in the second row by Iain Henderson. Nathan White makes his first international start in the front row.

Ireland team to play Wales (Saturday, 2.30pm)

15. Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
14. Dave Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster)
13. Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock/Leinster)
12. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)
11. Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
10. Johnny Sexton (St Mary’s/Leinster)
9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)

8. Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster)
7. Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
6. Peter O'Mahony (Cork Con/Munster)
5. Paul O'Connell (Young Munster) capt.
4. Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
3. Nathan White (Connacht)
2. Richardt Strauss (Old Wesley/Leinster)
1. Jack McGrath (St. Mary's/Leinster)

Replacements
16. Sean Cronin (St Mary's/Leinster)
17. Dave Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster)
18. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster)*
19. Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
20. Sean O'Brien (UCD/Leinster)
21. Eoin Reddan (Old Crescent/Leinster)
22. Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster)
23. Felix Jones (Shannon/Munster)

 

Buccs set for Friday fixture

Meanwhile, the Connacht Senior League match between Buccaneers and Sligo will now take place under floodlights tomorrow night (Friday). Kick-off for this game at Hamilton Park, Sligo, is at 7.30pm. The game was originally pencilled in for Saturday. A win or draw will guarantee that Buccaneers are Connacht League champions.

In another fixture change involving a local team, the Roscommon SFC clash between Padraig Pearses and Western Gaels will now be played on Saturday evening at 6:30pm in Pairc an Phiarsaigh (Woodmount). The game was initially fixed for Sunday but it has been brought forward to Saturday evening.

Clann na nGael and St Brigid’s both have home games in the Roscommon SFC on Sunday. Clann take on Roscommon Gaels in Johnstown at 1.30, with Paul Curran’s charges needing a win to guarantee a place in the quarter-finals.

Brigid’s, who are already assured of a semi-final spot, take on St Faithleach’s in Kiltoom at 1.30. A win for St Faithleach’s, combined with a defeat for Clann, would see the Ballyleague side edge out the Johnstown men in the battle for a place in the knockout stages.