Humphreys to captain Irish Down Under

David Humphreys will captain Ireland in their first outing of the summer tour when they take on Australia on Saturday in the …

David Humphreys will captain Ireland in their first outing of the summer tour when they take on Australia on Saturday in the opening test.

Coach Eddie O'Sullivan made six changes since Ireland's last game against England in the Six Nations Championship.

While Humphreys dons the captains armband for the second time - in place of the injured Brian O'Driscoll - Geordan Murphy switches from fullback to take O'Driscoll's spot at outside centre.

On the injured list are Justin Bishop, O'Driscoll, Denis Hickie, John Hayes and Anthony Foley, while Girvan Dempsey will start at fullback.

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Victor Costello will move from blindside flanker to No.8 and prop Reggie Corrigan will play tighthead for the first time in a Test.

James Topping returns to test duty on the right wing after a three-year absence.

As for the Wallaby opposition, Morgan Turinui was tapped for his Test but could be removed from the side after pulling an abdominal muscle just after the announcement today.

Turinui (21) was named at outside centre for the Subiaco Oval clash, but Mat Rogers, who has overcome a broken foot, will come into the squad if Turinui fails to recover.

Queensland's Steve Kefu was named to partner Turinui in the centre, his first run-on appearance in the Test side.

League convert Lote Tuqiri was rewarded for his rapid adjustment to the 15-man game with a position on the Australian bench.

Joe Roff returned on the left wing, with Wendell Sailor and Chris Latham making up the rest of the back three.

Ben Darwin was named on the bench to cover both tight and loosehead prop positions, which have gone to Patricio Noriega and Bill Young.

Teams:

Ireland:Girvan Dempsey, James Topping, Geordan Murphy, Kevin Maggs, JohnKelly, David Humphreys (capt), Peter Stringer, Victor Costello,Keith Gleeson, Alan Quinlan, Malcolm O'Kelly, Gary Longwell, ReggieCorrigan, Shane Byrne, Marcus Horan.

Australia:Chris Latham, Wendell Sailor, Morgan Turinui, Steve Kefu, JoeRoff, Elton Flatley, George Gregan (capt), Toutai Kefu, GeorgeSmith, David Lyons, David Giffin, Nathan Sharpe, Patricio Noriega,Jeremey Paul, Bill Young. Reserves: Brendan Cannon, Ben Darwin,Daniel Vickerman, Phil Waugh, Chris Whitaker, Nathan Grey, LoteTuqiri.

Replacements to be announced on Thursday.