O'Driscoll returns to Ireland line-up
Tuesday, 20 February 2007Watch all of this year's RBS 6 Nations matches live on RTÉ Two and RTÉ.ie. Listen to all of Ireland's matches live on RTÉ Radio 1 FM, MW and LW 252.
Brian O'Driscoll has been restored to Ireland's starting line-up for the RBS 6 Nations clash with England at Croke Park on Saturday.
O'Driscoll missed the 20-17 defeat by France with the hamstring strain he sustained in the championship opener against Wales but has made a full recovery.
The Leinster centre takes over the captaincy from Paul O'Connell with Shane Horgan switching to the right wing and Geordan Murphy dropping out of the squad.
Peter Stringer is still struggling with the fractured hand that forced him to miss the Croke Park debut so Ireland have left the scrum-half berth open.
Stringer will be given until later in the week to prove his fitness with Isaac Boss ready to deputise once again should the Munster veteran fail to make it.
Ronan O'Gara suffered an ankle injury against France and missed training last week but has also been included in the team to face England.
Powerful Ulster back Andrew Trimble is preferred to Murphy on the bench.
Ireland team to play England in the RBS 6 Nations at Croke Park on Saturday at 5.30pm:
G Dempsey (Leinster); S Horgan (Leinster), B O'Driscoll (Leinster, capt), G D'Arcy (Leinster), D Hickie (Leinster); R O'Gara (Munster), P Stringer (Munster) or I Boss (Ulster); M Horan (Munster), R Best (Ulster), J Hayes (Munster), D O'Callaghan (Munster), P O'Connell (Munster), S Easterby (Llanelli Scarlets), D Wallace (Munster), D Leamy (Munster).
Replacements: J Flannery (Munster), S Best (Ulster), N Best (Ulster), M O'Driscoll (Munster), I Boss (Ulster) or E Reddan (Wasps), P Wallace (Ulster), A Trimble (Ulster).
