9 Jun 2010

Ireland still wary of untested All Blacks side

7:31 am on 9 June 2010

Ireland have made ten changes to the team that lost to the Barbarians, coach Declan Kidney selecting what appears to be his strongest possible side to face the All Blacks in New Plymouth on Saturday night.

Centre and Captain Brian O'Driscoll returns to the backline as well as winger Tommy Bowe, second five-eight Gordon D'Arcy and halfback Tomas O'Leary.

The All Blacks have named six un-capped players in their side including three in the starting fifteen, but O'Driscoll says playing any All Black side is a daunting prospect.

Debutants Israel Dagg, Ben Franks and Benson Stanley have all been named in the All Blacks starting fifteen, with Aaron Cruden, Sam Whitelock and Victor Vito on the bench.

The game kicks off in New Plymouth at 7:35 on Saturday night.