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Ireland With Backline Injuries

Ireland's backline is known for being the
most dynamic and creative in the sport ofIreland coach Eddie O'Sullivan called in Paul
rugby, but now the team is not going throughO'Connell and hooker Rory Best to replace
a very good time since there are severalMick O'Driscoll and Bernard Jackman; as well
players with injuries; situation whichas Luke Fitzgerald who had been on the bench
forced to develop a brand new plan for theto  fill  in  the  spot  left  by  Horgan
Six  Nations  game  on Saturday versus Wales.
For the next clash, Ireland remains as the
Among the injured we have fullbacks Geordanfavorite specially because they are the home
Murphy and Girvan Dempsey who will not beteam and the strongest candidate to win the
able to be part of the match and whom are thechampionship. Unfortunately, Ireland won't
major  leaders  from  the  backs.count with its top class players and are
under  a  bit  more  pressure.
Ireland's has had two victories against Italy
and Scotland and only one defeat againstOn the other hand, we have Wales which is
France; and the team hopes to win the titlecoming off from a stunning victory against
despite  the  current  situation.Italy 47-8; everyone agrees Coach Warren
Gatland is the new gear stirring the team
Rob Kearney will move from left side to fillsince he took last December; he has managed
in at fullback and Tommy Bowe who scored twoto restore the pace and has made things right
tries against the Scots, switches sides tofor  everyone.
take Kearney's place on the left. Shane
Horgan will play at number 14 for Ireland,"There is a clear distinction between the
which is second in the Six Nations standingscoaches and the players," inside center Gavin
with  four.Henson said. "The coaches are pretty strict,
which is good. They command respect and
Murphy's non appearance is a major concernplayers are on the edge. Training is so
for the Irish team as he is the key person inintense that you are one bad session away
the game and this was clearly seemed whenfrom  being  dropped."
they played Scotland as he was Dempsey's
replacement who got injured in his AchillesFor now, Mike Phillips is replacing Dwayne
tendon  after  a  game  against  Leicester.Peel the only change to the backline while
Gatland recalled hooker Huw Bennett, tight
"Ireland will be confident about winning thehead prop Adam Jones and lock Alun-Wyn Jones.
game as historically the fixture has beenThis match will provide Gatland a chance to
good to them," Wales winger Mark Jones said.show the Irish team that they were wrong to
"But we are comfortable with being underdogsdismiss him from his roll and promote
so we must weather the storm and grind out aO'Connell.
result."



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