Ireland v Samoa
Heaslip to skipper Ireland against Samoa
ESPN Staff
November 7, 2013
Jamie Heaslip skipers Ireland against Samoa © Getty Images
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Jamie Heaslip will skipper Ireland against Samoa on Saturday but Paul O'Connell has been named captain for the season.

O'Connell has been named among the replacements for Joe Schmidt's first Test as Ireland boss while the likes of Sean O'Brien and Cian Healy are also on the bench. In Healy's place, Jack McGrath makes his debut for the Test side and lines up alongside Rory Best and Mike Ross in their front-row.

Mike McCarthy and Devin Toner are partnered in the locks while Chris Henry gets the nod ahead of O'Brien at openside and links-up with Heaslip.

In the half-backs, Conor Murray and Paddy Jackson are partnered with Rob Kearney, Tommy Bowe and Fergus McFadden named in their back three. Brian O'Driscoll has overcome his varies niggles to start in the centres alongside Leinster team-mate Gordon D'Arcy.

Dave Kearney could make his debut if he gets an opportunity from the bench. One notable absentee is Jonathan Sexton who will join training on Sunday ahead of next weekend's game against Australia.

Ireland:

Rob Kearney, Tommy Bowe, Brian O'Driscoll, Gordon D'Arcy, Fergus McFadden, Paddy Jackson, Conor Murray; Jack McGrath, Rory Best, Mike Ross, Mike McCarthy, Devin Toner, Peter O'Mahony, Chris Henry, Jamie Heaslip (C)

Replacements: Sean Cronin, Cian Healy, Declan Fitzpatrick, Paul O'Connell, Sean O'Brien, Eoin Reddan, Ian Madigan, Dave Kearney

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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