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Page last updated at 16:41 GMT, Friday, 12 November 2010

Samoa name strong line-up to face Ireland in Dublin

Ireland v Samoa
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin Date: Saturday 13 November Kick-off: 1430 GMT Coverage: Live on BBC Two NI, BBC Sport Website and BBC Radio Ulster MW; text commentary on BBC Sport website


Alesana Tuilagi
Alesana Tuilagi is part of an experienced Samoan team

Samoa have named a strong line-up for Saturday's autumn Test against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.

Nine European-based players are in the team, including Leicester winger Alesana Tuilagi and London Irish duo Seilala Mapusua and George Stowers.

Ireland confirmed their replacements on Thursday and the bench includes Rory Best, Stephen Ferris and Keith Earls.

Devin Toner will make his debut in a side that shows 10 changes from last weekend's 23-21 defeat by South Africa.

The Irish bench also includes Cian Healy, Donnacha Ryan, Isaac Boss and Jonathan Sexton but as expected, Rob Kearney will not feature because of a knee injury.

Tom Court, Sean Cronin and John Hayes form a new front row while Denis Leamy and Sean O'Brien also come into in the Ireland pack.

Ronan O'Gara and Peter Stringer earn starts with Luke Fitzgerald switching to full-back and Paddy Wallace and Andrew Trimble are also included.

Wallace will partner captain Brian O'Driscoll at centre with Trimble named at left wing.

Fitzgerald, O'Driscoll, Tommy Bowe, Donncha O'Callaghan and Jamie Heaslip retain their starting roles from the South Africa defeat.

Open-side flanker David Wallace is replaced by O'Brien while Leamy gets the number six jersey ahead of Ulster's Stephen Ferris.

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Prop Tony Buckley was out of contention for Saturday's game after sustaining a hip injury in Saturday's defeat.

Buckley could also miss the games against New Zealand and Argentina.

Veteran prop Hayes will win his 103rd cap after being dropped from the Ireland 22 last week for the first time since making his Test debut over a decade ago.

Prop Mike Ross, Isaac Boss and Fergus McFadden joined Damien Varley in being added to the Ireland squad and they will be in contention for the replacement slots to be announced on Thursday.

John Muldoon has been released from the Ireland squad to play for Connacht against Samoa on Tuesday evening.

O'Gara replaces Jonathan Sexton at fly-half after making a hugely positive impression as a replacement against the Springboks.

Stringer's second-half introduction also appeared to boost the Irish last weekend and he takes the number nine jersey from Eoin Reddan.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney said the changes were motivated by the desire to test his squad.

Ireland name a much-changed team for Saturday's Test against Samoa at an Aviva Stadium which again is likely to have many empty seats

"We've tried to mix experience and youth in the right team to face the type of challenge that Samoa present," said Kidney.

"We've talked about developing a squad and I believe we have one now. There were some tight calls."

Ireland will be aiming to end a run of four straight Test defeats.

The Irish blew the chance of winning the Triple Crown in March when they lost their final Six Nations match at home to Scotland and then suffered Test defeats in New Zealand and Australia before last weekend's reverse against South Africa.

Wasps regular David Lemi fills the right wing slot for Samoa while Tasesa Lavea of Clermont will direct operations at fly-half.

Lavea is one of three representatives from Clermont in the 22 with Paul Williams at full-back and Gavin Williams on the bench.

Taranaki hooker Mahonri Schwalger leads a side that also contains five players who compete in New Zealand's ITM Cup.

Samoa made a change in their replacements on Friday, with Canterbury's Steve Fualau coming in for Ti'i Paulo.


Ireland: L Fitzgerald; T Bowe, B O'Driscoll, P Wallace, A Trimble; R O'Gara, P Stringer; T Court, S Cronin, J Hayes; D O'Callaghan, D Toner; D Leamy, S O'Brien, J Heaslip

Replacements: R Best, C Healy, D Ryan, S Ferris, I Boss, J Sexton, K Earls.

Samoa: P Williams; D Lemi, G Pisi, Mapusua, A Tuilagi; T Lavea, K Fotualii; S Taulafo, M Schwalger (capt), A Perenise, F Lavea Levi, K Thompsen, O Trevarinus, M Salavea, G Stowers.

Replacements: S Fualau, S Lemalu, I Tekori, A Aiono, J Poluleuligaga, G Williams, J Helleur.



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see also
Ireland 20-10 Samoa
13 Nov 10 |  Rugby Union
Kidney accepts blame for defeat
09 Nov 10 |  Rugby Union
Kidney bemoans slow Irish start
06 Nov 10 |  Rugby Union
Ireland 21-23 South Africa
06 Nov 10 |  Rugby Union
Hayes has Ireland future - Kidney
03 Nov 10 |  Irish
O'Driscoll fit to face Springboks
02 Nov 10 |  Irish


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FROM OTHER SPORT SITES
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