O'Leary named in Ireland line-up

Ireland coach Declan Kidney today sprang a surprise by naming Tomas O'Leary at scrum-half for Saturday's clash with New Zealand at Croke Park.

O'Leary has been given the nod ahead of Eoin Reddan, who drops to the bench as one of six changes to the side which thumped Canada 55-0 last weekend.

The 25-year-old O'Leary, unavailable against Canada because of a foot injury, won his only cap in Argentina last year and has been rewarded for an impressive season at Munster.

Kidney has opted for the experience of Girvan Dempsey at full-back, recalling the Leinster man at the expense of promising rookie Keith Earls.

Two changes in the front row see prop John Hayes and hooker Rory Best replace Tony Buckley and Jerry Flannery, who settle for a place among the substitutes.

A tough call in the back row sees Alan Quinlan usurp Stephen Ferris, a star performer against Canada, at blindside flanker with David Wallace replacing Shane Jennings in the number seven jersey.

Brian O'Driscoll will lead the team for the 50th time as Ireland seek their first victory over the All Blacks in 22 Tests.

Tri-Nations champions New Zealand kicked off their European tour with a 32-6 triumph over Scotland last Saturday.

Kidney said his team selection was tailored to the All Blacks with experience influencing his thinking.

‘The changes weren't easy because the boys did well against Canada at the weekend,’ he said.

‘We have selected a team with a skill set that gives us the best possible chance on Saturday.

‘Alan Quinlan and David Wallace have a wealth of experience at international and provincial level.

‘Girvan has been playing very well and we saw him as the best option at full-back.

‘New Zealand are the Tiger Woods of world rugby, they're an extremely good side.

‘This is probably the toughest time to play them. They have the objective of winning a Grand Slam tour.

‘We have no illusions as to how hard it will be but we want to test ourselves against the best.’

IRELAND team to face New Zealand at Croke Park on Saturday, 15, 5:15pm:

G Dempsey (Leinster); T Bowe (Ospreys), B O'Driscoll (Leinster, captain), L Fitzgerald (Leinster), R Kearney (Leinster); R O'Gara (Munster), T O'Leary (Munster); M Horan (Munster), R Best (Ulster), J Hayes (Munster), D O'Callaghan (Munster), P O'Connell (Munster), A Quinlan (Munster), D Wallace (Munster), J Heaslip (Leinster).

Replacements: J Flannery (Munster), T Buckley (Munster), S Ferris (Ulster), S Jennings (Ulster), E Reddan (Wasps), P Wallace (Ulster), K Earls (Munster).