O'Sullivan shuffles deck ahead of Italy game

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has named a new-look squad for the World Cup warm-up game against Italy in Limerick on August …

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has named a new-look squad for the World Cup warm-up game against Italy in Limerick on August 30th.

Out-half David Humphreys, full-back Geordan Murphy and centre Brian O'Driscoll are the only survivors from the team that beat Wales 35-12 last Saturday.

The 22-man squad includes flanker Victor Costello, who was a late withdrawal from the Welsh game because of a calf strain, and prop John Hayes and winger Denis Hickie, who both missed the tour of Australia, Tonga and Samoa with groin injuries.

Prop Marcus Horan, ruled out of the Wales game because of an ankle injury, is also in the squad.

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O'Sullivan will name his starting XV next Tuesday.

IRELAND:

Forwards - Shane Byrne, Victor Costello, Leo Cullen, Kieron Dawson, Simon Easterby, Justin Fitzpatrick, John Hayes, Marcus Horan, Gary Longwell, Eric Miller, Donnacha O'Callaghan, Paul Shields

Backs - Jonathan Bell, Girvan Dempsey, Guy Easterby, Denis Hickie, Rob Henderson, John Kelly, Geordan Murphy, Brian O'Driscoll, Brian O'Meara, David Humphreys