Wasps scrum-half Eoin Reddan has earned a shock call-up as one of three changes for Ireland’s World Cup must-win Pool D game against France on Friday night.
Heineken Cup winner Reddan replaces the dropped Peter Stringer while Isaac Boss is again named on the bench. Andrew Trimble returns in place of Denis Hickie on the left wing, whilst Jerry Flannery replaces injured hooker Rory Best but Neil Best has to be happy with a place on the bench and Geordan Murphy is left out of the 22.
Ireland Team V France
Backs: Dempsey, Horgan, O’Driscoll(C), D’Arcy, Trimble, O’Gara, Reddan.
Forwards: Horan, Flannery, Hayes, O’Callaghan, O’Connell, Easterby, D Wallace, Leamy.
Replacements: Sheahan, S Best, O’Kelly, N Best, Boss, P Wallace, Duffy.