Paul O’Connell is soon to take charge of the 2009 Lions first test against the Springboks. Its going to be a very tough game for the Lions you have yet to be totally convincing.

5 Irishmen including O’Connell will start, Tommy Bowe, Brian O’Driscoll, David Wallace and Jamie Heaslip.
O’Callaghan, O’Gara and Kearney will start on the bench, it would be no suprise to see at least two get a run out.

Full Squad:
L Byrne (Ospreys and Wales); T Bowe (Ospreys and Ireland), B O’Driscoll (Leinster and Ireland), J Roberts (Cardiff Blues and Wales), U Monye (Harlequins and England); S Jones (Scarlets and Wales), M Phillips (Ospreys and Wales); G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues and Wales), L Mears (Bath and England), P Vickery (Wasps and England), A-W Jones (Ospreys and Wales), P O’Connell (Munster and Ireland, capt), T Croft (Leicester and England), D Wallace (Munster and Ireland), J Heaslip (Leinster and Ireland).

Replacements: M Rees (Scarlets and Wales), A Jones (Ospreys and Wales), D O’Callaghan (Munster and Ireland), M Williams (Cardiff Blues and Wales), H Ellis (Leicester and England), R O’Gara (Munster and Ireland), R Kearney (Leinster and Ireland).

As far as we’re concerned it’s between two men, Brian and Paul. But which one? Both had outstanding six nations and are hugely experienced. Does leading a lions tour require a different kind of leader than at a national level?

Please cast your votes!

Enjoy

Dawson Street will be closed to traffic tomorrow (Sunday) as preparations are made for the squad’s homecoming event.

More Information on the official Irish Rugby website

Update: Watch the homecoming online - Looks like the RTE website will be broadcasting the homecoming reception online at around 4:30pm (GMT). Hopefully all you fans from around the world will be able to tune in and watch the the boys welcomed home.

History has been made and Ireland have come out on the winning side. It had everything a championship final has to offer - heart stopping, adrenalin pumping, nerve shattering game.

If you want to see some great photos of the match and celebration try Inpho Photos

Leave a comment on this momentous game here

Now to celebrate - Come on Ireland!!

If you were at the game any photos would be appreciated, send them to andrew@irishrugby.co.uk

“Probably, out of all the teams in the Six Nations, the Welsh players dislike the Irish the most.”

Gatland’s comments are probably no more than off the field tactics to get a reaction out of the Irish camp. However it seems to have done little to spoil the Irish momentum leading into this weekend’s big game.

Kidney announced three changes to the starting line-up. The battle at scrum half continues with O’Leary starting ahead of Stringer, slightly confusing after Stringers excellent game last week but I am sure we will see him at some point. Two other welcomed changes come in the form of Flannery and Heaslip returning to the starting 15.

Ireland: Rob Kearney; Tommy Bowe, Brian O’Driscoll (capt), Gordon D’Arcy, Luke Fitzgerald; Ronan O’Gara, Tomas O’Leary; Marcus Horan, Jerry Flannery, John Hayes, Donncha O’Callaghan, Paul O’Connell (capt), Stephen) Ferris, David Wallace, Jamie Heaslip.
Replacements: Rory Best, Tom Court, M O’Driscoll, Denis Leamy, Peter Stringer, Paddy Wallace, Geordan Murphy.

The Scotts will undoubtedly be looking to cause an upset to Ireland’s winning ways and one of the best chances we have of lifting the trophy in recent years. But there is an unrivalled level of commitment and enjoyment coming out of the camp in recent weeks strengthened by a string of impressive performances. From an outsiders view the squad seems to be one of the tightest units in European rugby with a new found mixture of experience, youth and depth.

Kidney it putting this depth to the ultimate test by making four changes to the Irish side who beat England. Eye brows will be raised as Flannery and Heaslip fail to make Kidney’s starting line-up. Both have impressed throughout the tournament and when it comes to Best’s line-out throwing this could prove to be a risky move. However Kidney has hedged this risk by starting Stringer and D’Arcy. Stinger replaces O’Leary who has been solid at #9 but simply has not been providing quick enough ball. D’Arcy should also add an intangible confidence that comes from experience and performance. Its an interesting move from Kidney and one which we will hopefully learn a lot from.

Ireland: Kearney; Bowe, O’Driscoll, D’Arcy, Fitzgerald; O’Gara, Stringer; Horan, Best, Hayes; O’Callaghan, O’Connell; Ferris, D Wallace, Leamy.

Replacements: Murphy, Wallace, O’Leary, Court, Flannery, O’Driscoll, Heaslip.

I have also added a new page to the site which collects the latest Irish Rugby related tweets, you can visit it at http://www.irishrugby.co.uk/twitter - Even if your not on twitter the page provides a great running commentary from fans across the world, should be great for match days.

Any comments or feedback welcome!

Photos via BBC sport

Irish Rugby.co.uk is now on Twitter - Follow us

Irish Team
R Kearney; T Bowe, B O’Driscoll (capt), P Wallace, L Fitzgerald; R O’Gara, T O’Leary; M Horan, J Flannery, J Hayes, D O’Callaghan, P O’Connell, S Ferris, D Wallace, J Heaslip.
Replacements: R Best, T Court, M O’Driscoll, D Leamy, P Stringer, G D’Arcy, G Murphy.

John Hayes will match Malcolm O’Kelly’s 92 caps as joint all-time most capped player.

Could also be an interesting day for #9’s as O’Leary and Stringer battle it out - O’Leary will need to offer quicker ball than he did last week with Stringer showing he’s not over the hill yet.

Ireland v England - Last 5 Six Nations Results
(2008) England 33 - 10 Ireland
(2007) Ireland 43 - 13 England
(2006) England 24 - 28 Ireland
(2005) Ireland 19 - 13 England
(2004) England 13 - 19 Ireland

Best Moment?