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Irish international Luke Fitzgerald to start next Lions game

By
SETANTA SPORTS,

Published Friday, June 5, 2009, 9:56 AM
Updated Thursday, July 23, 2009, 5:37 PM

 

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Luke Fitzgerald, seen here scoring a try for Ireland against Italy, is back in the Leinster squad,
Photo by PA Wire/PA Photos

Leigh Halfpenny and Luke Fitzgerald will both make their first ever starts for The British & Irish Lions in Saturday’s clash with The Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

Donncha O’Callaghan, meanwhile, has also been included for the first time on Tour, while the most recent arrival to the Lions squad, Gordon D’Arcy, has been included amongst the replacements.

Halfpenny only arrived in South Africa this week after being forced to stay behind when The Lions left for South Africa last month because of a troublesome thigh injury.

However, after proving his fitness on Monday, the goal-kicking Welshman has been given the nod on the right wing for the clash with The Cheetahs. He will be joined in the back three by compatriots Lee Byrne and Shane Williams.

Leinster’s Fitzgerald, meanwhile, has been named at inside centre, meaning he will form an all-Irish midfield with Munster starlet Keith Earls.

O’Callaghan’s inclusion means that there will be two Irishmen in the second row, with the Munster lock lining out alongside his provincial and international colleague, Paul O’Connell, who reclaims the captain’s armband from Brian O’Driscoll.

Elsewhere, there are also first starts for Andy Powell, Stephen Ferris, Euan Murray, Ross Ford, Harry Ellis and James Hook.

Wales number eight Powell and Ireland blindside Ferris will line up alongside Joe Worsley in a powerful-looking back row.

Scottish duo Murray and Ford are joined by England loose-head Andrew Sheridan in the front row.

Meanwhile, Ellis and Hook, both of whom impressed as replacements in Wednesday’s 74-10 rout of The Golden Lions, will start at nine and ten respectively.

Regarding his team selection head coach Ian McGeechan said: “With the selection of Donncha O’Callaghan, Leigh Halfpenny and Luke Fitzgerald in the starting XV it means that all the players will have taken the field as planned.

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