Ireland coach Warren Gatland today recalled all of the 15 players who defeated England last month when naming his side to face New Zealand at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.
"The selection is a reflection of the performance against England," said Gatland at today’s press conference.
However, the coach still has several injury worries. Brian O’Driscoll took a knock on his knee and retired after 30 minutes of training this morning. Eric Miller (groin) did not train and Anthony Foley, who like Miller was substituted at half-time against Samoa on Sunday, did not finish training either. But long-term injury worry David Wallace completed training unscathed.
Gatland defined the traits that the new All Blacks coach, John Mitchell, would bring to the side as "uncompromising". He went on to say that training in the New Zealand camp will be about the "last man standing".
There has been much speculation about this being the best chance for Ireland to beat an All-Black side which is getting used to a new coach and new players. Gatland played this down saying that Saturday’s match will be: "a chance to see how close Ireland are to the Southern Hemisphere".
There was one change to the replacement bench. Ballymena's Gary Longwell comes in for Trevor Brennan.
Ireland team to face the All Blacks at Lansdowne Road on Saturday, November 17th:
Ireland:15-Girvan Dempsey; 14-Shane Horgan, 13-Brian O'Driscoll, 12-Kevin Maggs, 11-Denis Hickie; 10-David Humphreys, 9-Peter Stringer; 8-Anthony Foley, 7-David Wallace, 6-Eric Miller, 5-Malcolm O'Kelly, 4-Mick Galwey, 3-John Hayes, 2-Keith Wood, 1-Peter Clohessy.
Replacements:16-Frank Sheahan, 17-Emmet Byrne, 18-Gary Longwell, 19-Kieron Dawson, 20-Guy Easterby, 21-Ronan O'Gara, 22-Mike Mullins.