Humphreys gets the nod for Ireland 'A'

Ian Humphreys and Peter Stringer have been selected at out-half and scrum-half in the Ireland 'A' side to face Tonga at Ravenill on Friday night.

Ian Keatley of Connacht, Humphreys' main rival for the 'A' starting 10 jersey, is picked on the bench for the Friday night clash. Ulster's Isaac Boss cover scrum-half.

Darren Cave of Ulster and Fergus McFadden of Leinster have been picked in the centres and the team will be captained by Leinster's Shane Horgan, who will start on the right wing. Ulster's Andrew Trimble takes the other wing berth with Gavin Duffy of Connacht at full-back.

In the forwards, Northpampton flanker Neil Best will make an emotional return to his former stomping ground of Ravenhill in the number seven jersey. Ulster's Chris Henry and Leinster's Sean O'Brien are selected at eight and six respectively, completing the backrow while Leinster's up and coming blindside Kevin McLaughlin takes a slot on the bench.

Mike Ross of Leinster and Brett Wilkinson of Connacht have been named at prop with Bryan Young on the bench, while Leinster's Devin Toner and Munster's Donnacha Ryan will start in the second row.

A vacancy has been left at hooker pending the announcement of the full Ireland team to play Australia on Sunday tomorrow. Munster's Denis Fogarty is named on the bench while John Fogarty, Seán Cronin and Jerry Flannery are all still with the main squad.

The starting slot will be filled after a decision on whether or not Flannery is fit enough to play in the senior match is taken.

Tickets for the game against Tonga are available online from www.ulsterrugby.ie.

Ireland 'A' v Tonga, Friday, 13 November, Ravenhill, 7:35pm

15. Gavin Duffy (Galwegians/Connacht)
14. Shane Horgan (Boyne/Leinster) Captain
13. Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
12. Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
11. Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)

10. Ian Humphreys (Ballymena/Ulster)
9. Peter Stringer (Shannon/Munster)

1. Brett Wilkinson (Galwegians/Connacht)
2. A.N. Other
3. Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
4. Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster)
5. Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
6. Sean O'Brien (Clontarf/Leinster)
7. Neil Best (Northampton Saints)
8. Chris Henry (Ballymena/Ulster)

Replacements:

16. Denis Fogarty (Cork Constitution/Munster)
17. Bryan Young (Ballymena/Ulster)
18. Dan Tuohy (Ballymena/Ulster)
19. Kevin McLaughlin (UCD/Leinster)
20. Isaac Boss (Ballymena/Ulster)
21. Ian Keatley (Galwegians/Connacht)
22. Johne Murphy (Leicester Tigers).