O'Driscoll named in starting XV

Brian O'Driscoll has been named to start in the centre by Ireland Coach Eddie O'Sullivan in the Ireland team to play Namibia in the opening Rugby World Cup Group D game this Sunday in Bordeaux.

Thu, 06 Sep, 2007 - 12:49

Brian O'Driscoll has been named to start in the centre by Ireland Coach Eddie O'Sullivan in the Ireland team to play Namibia in the opening Rugby World Cup Group D game this Sunday in Bordeaux.

O'Driscoll has recovered on schedule from his fractured sinus and has been given the all clear following a scan on the injury.

Commenting on his selection, the Ireland Captain, who will be leading Ireland for the 39th time in his career, said: "I am delighted to get myself back on the field, especially to lead the team out in the first game in the tournament. The injury has healed very well over the last number of weeks and right on schedule, so myself and the rest of the squad can concentrate on this weekends game."

O'Driscoll will be leading a strong Ireland selection for the game that includes David Wallace, who returns to the team after recovering from a niggling ankle injury that has bothered him for the last number of weeks. He will be joined by Simon Easterby and Denis Leamy in the backrow. In the backs, Andrew Trimble moves from the centre, where he played against Italy, and is named on the right wing in a back three that includes Denis Hickie and Girvan Dempsey.

Ireland Coach Eddie O'Sullivan said: "Brian has recovered well after his injury and was keen to get as many games under his belt from the start of the tournament, so it is a great boost for us to have him back and in the team.

"After the great reception we received on our arrival at the airport last night, the whole squad realise that we are now finally here in the Rugby World Cup and we have to hit the ground running against Namibia".

"We expect Namibia to throw everything at us and we are under no illusion that it will be a tough day at the office. It is also the first game for them and they will have targeted this for a big performance, so this will not be as easy as many people outside of the Ireland squad expect".

The Ireland team to play Namibia on Sunday, September 11 2007 in the Stade Chaban Delmas Bordeaux at 7pm (Irish time) is as follows:

Player

15 - Girvan Dempsey - Terenure College/Leinster

14 - Andrew Trimble - Ballymena/Ulster

13 - Brian O'Driscoll Captain - UCD/Leinster

12 - Gordon D'Arcy - Lansdowne/Leinster

11 - Denis Hickie - St Mary's College/Leinster

10 - Ronan O'Gara - Cork Constitution/Munster

9 - Peter Stringer - Shannon/Munster

1 - Marcus Horan - Shannon/Munster

2 - Rory Best - Belfast Harlequins/Ulster

3 - John Hayes - Shannon/Munster