Sexton takes over outhalf position

Churchill Cup/New Zealand Maori v Ireland:Ireland A coach Michael Bradley has made four changes and two positional switches from the side that beat Canada for tonight's Churchill Cup match against the New Zealand Maori.

Jeremy Staunton's call-up to the senior panel in Argentina, guaranteed a change at outhalf.

Staunton, who won the man-of-the-match award in Ireland's 39-20 victory over the Canucks, is replaced by Jonathan Sexton, the St Mary's College outhalf having started the last game at fullback.

Despite picking up an injury that day, the Leinster player has been chosen ahead of Leicester's Ian Humphreys who linked up with the squad after the European Cup final.

Sexton's greater physicality defensively is likely to have been a factor in his selection against a Maori side that will present a massive challenge in that respect.

There was better news for a couple of other Tigers in scrumhalf Frank Murphy and wing John Murphy who have been named in the starting line-up.

Leinster's Ross McCarron comes in at fullback to replace Sexton with Keith Earls moving from the left wing to centre where he will partner his fellow Ireland under-20 Grand Slam winner, Darren Cave.

Johnny Murphy will wear the number 11 jersey, while his namesake, Frank, takes over from Chris Keane at scrumhalf.

Up front there is just one alteration with Garryowen and Munster's John O'Sullivan included in the backrow; Stephen Keogh drops to the replacements.

New Zealand Maori coach Donny Stevenson has made eight changes to the side that thumped Canada 59-23 - the Canadians made eight changes for that match from the team that lost to Ireland - in order to retain an element of freshness.

Craig West, Aled de Malmanche and Ben May form an entirely new front row while lock Hayden Triggs replaces Isaac Ross, the latter included among the replacements. Behind the scrum, Tamati Ellison starts at outhalf in preference to Callum Bruce while Dwayne Sweeney is named at centre for Jason Kawau.

Hosea Gear, a brother of All Black, Rico, is on the right wing for Pehi Te Whare with Shannon Paku getting his first chance in the tournament at fullback.

Tanerau Latimer suffered a cut above the eye in the game against Canada and so Scott Waldron stands by to deputise. A final decision will be made today.

The game represents a huge test for Ireland A, although they will have been facilitated by a 10-day run-in to the match. There is a huge onus on the pack providing decent possession for a young, if gifted, backline.

The Maori, who won the title last year including beating Ireland, will start as strong favourites and their opponents may have to be satisfied with individual performances rather than outright victory.

Two moments of magic from Bath fullback Nick Abendanon booked the England Saxons a place in next weekend's Churchill Cup final with an 18-3 victory over Scotland A yesterday.

Abendanon laid the platform for David Paice to score England's first try with two elusive runs deep into Scottish territory. And shortly after the restart, Abendanon latched on to Danny Cipriani's neat kick through the Scotland defence, chipped forward again and won the race to the touchdown.

NEW ZEALAND MAORI: S Paku; H Gear, D Sweeney, R Tipoki, A Tahana; T Ellison, C Smylie; C West, A de Malmanche, B May; K Ormsby, H Triggs; A Macdonald, S Waldrom or T Latimer, W Smith. Replacements: L Mahoney, H Tui, I Ross, J Hoeata, J Rodley, C Bruce, P Te Whare.

IRELAND A: R McCarron (UCD, Leinster); P McKenzie (Belfast Harlequins,Ulster), D Cave (Belfast Harlequins,Ulster), K Earls (Thomond, Munster), J Murphy (Leicester); J Sexton (St Mary's, Leinster), F Murphy (Leicester); R Hogan (Galwegians, Connacht), J Fogarty (Buccaneers, Connacht) capt, M Ross (NEC Harlequins); R Caldwell (Dungannon, Ulster), A Farley (Buccaneers, Connacht); J O'Sullivan (Garryowen, Munster), J O'Connor (Wasps), R Wilson (Belfast Harlequins, Ulster). Replacements: S Cronin (Shannon, Munster), D Fitzpatrick (Belfast Harlequins, Ulster), D Gannon (Buccaneers, Connacht), S Keogh (Shannon, Leinster), C Keane (Buccaneers, Connacht), S Mallon (Northampton), J Hearty (Galwegians, Connacht).

Referee: Andy Macphearson (Scotland).