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Cian Healy starts as Joe Schmidt names his side to face Romania

Before the tournament Joe Schmidt said that there was only one man who would travel without havin...
Newstalk
Newstalk

12.45 25 Sep 2015


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Cian Healy starts as Joe Schmi...

Cian Healy starts as Joe Schmidt names his side to face Romania

Newstalk
Newstalk

12.45 25 Sep 2015


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Before the tournament Joe Schmidt said that there was only one man who would travel without having had any time on the pitch beforehand, Cian Healy. 

Today, Schmidt named his squad to face Romania and handed Healy a start for the first time since March, having spent the last few months recovering from neck surgery. 

The call makes sense, given that there is a huge match ahead for Ireland in the form of France, a game that will more than likely decide their fate in this tournament. Having come off the bench in the game against Canada, Healy showed that he was ready for action and what he needs now is to get game time under his belt.

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Jamie Heaslip also starts, bringing plenty of experience to the side, while Jordi Murphy and Chris Henry get the nod at openside and blindside flanker.

Ian Madigan has gotten the call to start at no. 10, giving Sexton a rest looking ahead to the two difficult games left in the Pool. Having impressed in some of the warm up matches, now is Madigan's chance to prove that his game management skills are up to scratch for when he's called upon later in the tournament, while Eoin Reddan will be along side him as scrum half. 

Tommy Bowe and Simon Zebo both start also, and having been in mixed form the run up to the tournament, both will be eager to prove that they're up to the challenge now in the important games.

The subs are Sean Cronin, Jack McGrath, Tadhg Furlong, Paul O'Connell, Sean O'Brien, Conor Murray, Paddy Jackson and Rob Kearney, and if Furlong and Jackson are called upon at some stage to come from the bench (something that is quite likely) then the only player not to have made an appearance at the World Cup so far will be Robbie Henshaw.

Although Schmidt stated that he was "fine", he did miss the start of the week and as a result he has chosen not to risk him, opting to wait to get him back against Italy without the worry that he could suffer a setback. 

You can get reaction to the team and plenty more on this evening's Off The Ball, as Brian O'Driscoll returns to join the guys and talk all things #RWC2015.


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