Nine Munster men make Irish team

[Huggy Bear]

Irish team to play Italy, 9 Munster men make the first 15

The Italians think this is their best chance of winning a 6 nation game !!
They live in hope !

New Caps, Wallace, finally get recognition for his work over the last 3
seasons

15. Girvan Dempsey (Terenure College, Leinster).
14. Shane Horgan (Lansdowne, Leinster).
13. Mike Mullins (Young Munster, Munster).
12. Rob Henderson (Wasps).
11. Tyrone Howe (Ballymena, Ulster).

10. Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution, Munster).
9. Peter Stringer (Shannon, Munster).

1. Peter Clohessy (Young Munster, Munster).
2. Keith Wood (Harlequins) capt.
3. John Hayes (Shannon, Munster).
4. Mick Galwey (Shannon, Munster).
5. Malcolm O'Kelly (St.Mary's College, Leinster).
6. Alan Quinlan (Shannon, Munster).
7. David Wallace (Garryowen, Munster).
8. Anthony Foley (Shannon, Munster).

Replacements. 16. Frank Sheahan (Cork Constitution, Munster).
17. Emmet Byrne (St.Mary's College, Leinster).
18. Jeremy Davidson (Castres).
19. Andy Ward (Ballynahinch, Ulster).
20. Brian O'Meara (Cork Constitution, Leinster).
21. David Humphreys (Dungannon, Ulster).
22. Kevin Maggs (Bath).

[Michael Halpenny]

Wallace got capped on the tour of the Americas, Emmet Byrne is the only
uncapped player in the squad. It should also be mentioned that there are 9
Munster players only because Dawson, Easterby and O'Driscoll are injured. Not
that Wallace, Quinlan and Mullins aren't playing well just that they wouldn't
be picked by Gatland ahead of the previous three. For what it's worth I would
have Mullins in ahead of Henderson on my first choice team. If he were to get
a few games with O'Driscoll they might build a defensive understanding. I
don't think that Gatland sees it that way though.

Michael