O'Sullivan backs Easterby
Ireland head coach Eddie O’Sullivan had no hesitation offering Simon Easterby the captaincy for Saturday’s clash against the All Blacks – despite his quiet manner.
Easterby, one of the few Irishmen to return from the Lions tour to New Zealand with his reputation enhanced, will lead the side for the first time with regular skipper Brian O’Driscoll in the treatment room.
The Llanelli flanker’s place against the All Blacks was only confirmed this morning as a broken nose, which required surgery, threatened to end his involvement in Ireland’s opening autumn international.
But the 30-year-old will win his 43rd cap when he runs out against the Tri-Nations champions at Lansdowne Road and O’Sullivan believes his experience will prove crucial in what is expected to be a long afternoon for the Irish.
“Simon has been around the squad for a while – ever since 2000. He’s been a permanent fixture for most of that time, unless he’s been injured,” he said.
“He’s a slightly different leader to many of the other players. He’s a very quiet guy but is held in high esteem by the squad and leads by example. He doesn’t panic or lose his head under pressure.
“When he speaks people listen. Having someone of his experience and knowledge in this type of game is very important. He’s the right man for the job. I was happy to offer him the role. My only concern was his fitness.
“We waited until the last minute today before we included him because we had to get medical clearance. Yesterday he had a scan and the specialist gave him the all clear. He’s been training this morning and is good to go.”
Anthony Foley has paid the price for Easterby’s availability and O’Sullivan revealed the veteran Munster number eight, who drops out of the squad altogether, would have come in had the Llanelli forward been ruled out.
“Anthony would have come in for a direct swap. Anthony has been excellent again this season and is very unfortunate not to be in the team or the 22,” he said.
“He’s playing very well. But had Simon not made it Anthony would have been in there for his experience. He would also have been captain.”
Easterby takes the number six jersey, Wasps’ Johnny O’Connor is named at openside and Denis Leamy of Munster completes the back row, winning a rare start at number eight.
“I’m not concerned that Denis hasn’t played much at number eight. Denis is a very good footballer. He’ll be at eight in the scrum but otherwise he’ll be playing his normal position,” he said.
“We’ve seen this happen in other back rows in world rugby. Denis is capable of making the adjustment.”
Leinster back Shane Horgan, who featured as a substitute in all three Lions Tests this summer, lines up alongside Gordon D’Arcy in midfield after overcoming the shoulder injury he suffered on Heineken Cup duty 10 days ago.
There are no debutants in the starting line-up but uncapped Ulster duo Rory and Neil Best have been named on the bench.
Ireland have never beaten the All Blacks and are rank outsiders to break that duck this weekend against a side averaging 38.88 points per game this year.
Graham Henry’s men swept aside Wales 41-3 in a one-sided Grand Slam opener and there is little indication Ireland will be able to halt their march to a clean sweep of home union scalps.
O’Sullivan has prepared for the match without his two most inspirational figures, O’Driscoll and second row Paul O’Connell, while Denis Hickie, Alan Quinlan, Guy Easterby, Eric Miller and Frankie Sheahan are also in the treatment room.
O’Driscoll is recovering from the shoulder injury he suffered during the opening Lions Test in Christchurch when All Blacks skipper Tana Umaga and hooker Keven Mealamu performed a controversial ‘spear’ tackle.
The potential flashpoint of Umaga coming up against O’Driscoll’s countrymen has been avoided, however, with the veteran centre rested for the Lansdowne Road encounter.
