Stringer Back In Ireland XV

Peter Stringer makes a welcome return to the Ireland starting XV for the Test against Australia in Melbourne’s Telstra Dome on Saturday

The 30 year old will win his 84th cap when he starts his first game for Ireland since the Georgia game in the Rugby World Cup last September.

Elsewhere, Jerry Flannery appears to be asked to carry the can for Ireland’s malfunctioning line-out against the All Blacks, his place going to Rory Best and the expectation that Ian Dowling’s form might have warranted a place in the match day 22 is unfounded as coach Michael Bradley retains the same squad as did duty in Wellington.

Ireland: R Kearney (Leinster); S Horgan (Leinster), B O’Driscoll (Leinster, capt), P Wallace (Ulster), T Bowe (Ulster); R O’Gara (Munster), P Stringer (Munster);  M Horan (Munster),  R Best (Ulster),  J Hayes (Munster), D O’Callaghan (Munster), P O’Connell (Munster), D Leamy (Munster), D Wallace (Munster), J Heaslip (Leinster). Replacements:  J Flannery (Munster), T Buckley (Munster), M O’Driscoll (Munster), S Jennings (Leinster), E Reddan (Wasps)  G Murphy (Leicester), G Dempsey (Leinster).