Simon Zebo, who at 22 is the youngest member of the touring squad, starts on the left wing in a team that has an average age of just over 26. Photo / Getty Images.
Simon Zebo, who at 22 is the youngest member of the touring squad, starts on the left wing in a team that has an average age of just over 26. Photo / Getty Images.
Ireland have included two new caps in their side to take on the All Blacks in the first test at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday night.
Simon Zebo, who at 22 is the youngest member of the touring squad, starts on the left wing in a team that hasan average age of just over 26.
Declan Fitzpatrick is the other man to make his first start in the green jersey, being named at tighthead prop after Mike Ross failed to recover sufficiently from a hamstring strain. Fitzpatrick will start alongside loosehead Cian Healy and hooker Rory Best, who will be winning his 60th cap.
Other features of the side include a new centre partnership between Keith Earls and returning captain Brian O'Driscoll, who missed the Six Nations Championship due to injury.
Fergus McFadden starts on the right wing in a back three that includes Zebo and Rob Kearney at fullback, while Jonathan Sexton starts at No 10 and is partnered by Conor Murray.
In the forwards, Dan Touhy will make his first start for Ireland in the second row, after making his debut against the All Blacks as a replacement in 2010. He will partner Donnacha Ryan. Behind them, Peter O'Mahony, Sean O'Brien and Jamie Heaslip are all named in the back row.
Ireland team for first test against New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland on Saturday:
Rob Kearney, Fergus McFadden, Brian O'Driscoll (c), Keith Earls, Simon Zebo, Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray, Jamie Heaslip, Sean O'Brien, Peter O'Mahony, Donnacha Ryan, Dan Touhy, Declan Fitzpatrick, Rory Best, Cian Healy. Reserves: Sean Cronin, Ronan Loughney, Donnacha O'Callaghan, Kevin McLaughlin, Eoin Reddan, Ronan O'Gara, Darren Cave.
