MUNSTER’S BILLY HOLLAND will stand in as captain for tomorrow’s final game of the Tbilisi Cup against Georgia, as head coach Allen Clarke makes nine changes to his side.
Underwhelming but comfortable wins against Emerging Italy and Uruguay have seen Ireland take maximum points so far, but they sign off with arguably their biggest test against the Georgians.
Clarke has shuffled his deck, however, with just six survivors from the win against Uruguay.
Just one change in the front row, as Rob Herring replaces Dave Heffernan, with Munster pair James Cronin and Stephen Archer supporting at prop.
Holland captains the side from the second row, while new Connacht signing Ben Marshall replaces his soon-to-be teammate Andrew Browne.
Eoghan Masterson retains his place in the backrow, but switches from number 8 to flanker in the absence of Rhys Ruddock, while Jack Conan and Dan Leavy join him.
The half-back pairings are switched, Luke McGrath and JJ Hanrahan starting, while Noel Reid retains his place in the centre with Stuart McCloskey returning.
Matt Healy stays on the left wing, with Andrew Conway on the right, while Tiernan O’Halloran is at full-back, Peter Nelson moving to the bench.
Captain Holland says that while it’s an honour to be given the chance to lead the side, Ruddock’s ground work means no real revolution is needed.
“Obviously it’s a very tough one on Rhys, top break his arm three times in a season is hard going, especially in such an innocuous challenge.
“A lot of us wouldn’t have known him, coming over here, he’s one of the fellas you’re trying to beat the head off or most of the season, but he’s a good fella and a great player.
“It’s a shame, but he’ll be back fitter than ever at the start of next season”
“Nothing changes for me, really, but it is a great honour,” he added.
Emerging Ireland:
15. Tiernan O’Halloran (Buccaneers/Connacht)
14. Andrew Conway (Garryowen/Munster)
13. Stuart McCloskey (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
12. Noel Reid (Clontarf/Leinster)
11. Matt Healy (Lansdowne/Connacht)
10. JJ Hanrahan (UL Bohemians/Munster)
9. Luke McGrath (UCD/Leinster)
1. James Cronin (Dolphin/Munster)
2. Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
3. Stephen Archer (Cork Constitution/Munster)
4. Ben Marshall (Old Belvedere/Connacht)
5. Billy Holland (Cork Constitution/Munster) captain
6. Eoghan Masterson (Corinthians/Connacht)
7. Dan Leavy (UCD/Leinster)
8. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Replacements:
16. Dave Heffernan (Buccaneers/Connacht)
17. Denis Buckley (Corinthians/Connacht)
18. Finlay Bealham (Corinthians/Connacht)
19. Andrew Browne (Galwegians /Connacht)
20. Frank Taggart (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
21. John Cooney (Terenure/Connacht)
22. Eoin Griffin (London Irish)
23. Peter Nelson (Malone/Ulster)
Its all over!!!!!!!
I think the majority of United fans will admit when we get lucky decision but all you ABU fans need to take the blinkers off, Man City have got decisions in the last few weeks to keep them in the title race at Sunderland and Stoke… Chelsea’s goal yesterday was a blatant offside… If you want to talk about penalties, Man City have won more penalties at home than any other team in the last four years.. United form in the last 11 games is Championship winning form, whether its pretty or not who’s cares, the league is won over 38 games.. Form is temporary class is permanent so let’s celebrate number 20…
take a bow mr walsh…. well said.
some very convenient decisions the last 2 games for utd, penalty not given in fulham game, penalty wrongfully awarded and a man sent off for nothing today, but of course, these things even themselves out over a season (loool)
@just saying you would think at least one utd fan would take the blinkers off and admit they get way too many dodgy decisions in their favour, ive heard fans of almost every other team admit when they had unjust luck or their players acted in a wrong fashion, utd fans prefer to gloat about it instead
green eyed monsters are out in force this evening!!!
the usual typical response, even alex ferguson admitted the officials were well wrong today, you just proved my point
Do referees just not like QPR or something? Disallowing perfectly good goals, sending men off, giving dodgy penalties. Evens itself over a season? Well QPR must be in for a load of good fortune over the next 6 games.
maybe you should take your own blinkers off! every team gets decisions for and against them but your jealousy and bias keep your blinkers firmly welded to your head. god love ya!!!!
lol, deluded
As someone said elsewhere,the reason for thumbs down is this is packed with utd.fans.Are there worse losers anywhere else or any other sport?Cant wait for the thumbs down lol.
Georgina get back in the kitchen and stop pretending ya know something about football!
A liverpool fan using the word ‘deluded’
Wow. Ironic.
Yea Utd get all the luck??? Yea!!! Like Dzeko’s dive last weekend ring any bells????? or the fact that Balotelli should nearly be sent off in most game but it’s overlooked or he gets away with it then pops up and scores the winner or equaliser. Just admit it City couldn’t keep up the pace after 210 million sent on a team , when every player in Utds squad has been injured at some point or another and have had to play midfielders in defence and defenders in midfield because if the list if injuries. The facts speak for themselves.
yes indeed the facts speak for themselves, the facts being the match officials have almost guaranteed utd another title, im am sure they didnt need the help, or did they?
The fa need to generate cash to pay for wembley so from next season they could save money by not bothering to have linesmen at castle greyskull
WOW THE CONSPIRACY THEORISTS ARE OUT IN FORCE.
Ah sure, when your season is over & your manager is talking about agendas against your club its not surprising that the fans take that view.
Just saw Man Ure 1st effort,Young & linesman summed up 20 years of man Utd,glory glory indeed
Would you like some Cheese with that whine?
I’m just expressing justifiable contempt,
Bitter Rodger.
howard webb is really going to struggle to make it back into uniteds frist 12 after lee masons brilliant display for them. if anyone can do it though its mr webb
It is a great and huge victory for manchester united to lead the premier league 8points.i think this cup is 4man united as man u is wining and man city is stumbling.man city is struggling for there loose and will finally come zero.man u is still having the power of defending its cup.
MANCHESTER UNITED.
I think there are a few disgruntled scousers on here. Must be disappointing to see your team with all its history about as relevant as Stoke now.That King Kenny thing was never going to work.
@United fans here, why take the bait? It’s the same old story over and over. “Referees love United. They get all the decisions. Alex Ferguson gets away with murder”. If you deny it, they call you deluded. Don’t rise to it. It’s petty and pathetic and makes these people look whiney and more and more like sore losers. We know what our team is about, and we know what we’re made of. Don’t give these clowns the satisfaction of replying, just watch the ABU diatribe roll on, and smile to yourself.