BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | International | O'Gara recalled for NZ Test

Ronan O'Gara has been given the nod by Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan for Saturday's first Test against New Zealand in Dunedin.

The Munster fly-half comes in ahead of David Humphreys who had been first choice through the Six Nations campaign.

New Zealand name their side

O'Gara is one of four changes in the backs with three in the pack from Ireland's last outing when France inflicted a heavy defeat in Paris.

John Kelly, Justin Bishop, and Geordan Murphy will all be in action at Carisbrook Park.

Up front, Reggie Corrigan, Paul O'Connell and Keith Gleeson are called up to face a highly-motivated All Blacks side.

But the choice of O'Gara over Humphreys will be the major talking point.

Humphreys was initially the first choice for O'Sullivan, but after suffering from a protracted ankle injury, his form tailed off slightly at the end of the Six Nations.

O'Gara's form, however, improved during Munster's great run in Europe which O'Sullivan admitted gave him the edge.

"While the players both bring something different to the table, I felt that Ronan was the player in form at present," said O'Sullivan. "David is still feeling his way back after an ankle injury, and indeed up until last Saturday had not played a match since the French defeat."

Humphreys scored 16 points as Ireland ran up a 56-3 victory in their opening tour match against a Divisional XV on Saturday.

The other big call for O'Sullivan was the choice of Brian O'Driscoll's midfield partner. He has gone for Munster winger Kelly, who had a two-try debut against Italy, before dropping out of the squad for the next game.

Geordan Murphy was a Heineken Cup winner

Kelly, however, has had wide experience in the centre for his province and club Cork Constituion, and gets the verdict ahead of Sale's Mel Deane.

London Irish utility back Bishop was another in contention for inside centre, but he edges out Tyrone Howe for the right wing berth.

Bishop will play his first international since Ireland's tour to the Americas two summers ago.

With Denis Hickie one of four first-choice threequarters unavailable, Leicester's Geordan Murphy gets his chance on the left wing.

Murphy, a Heineken Cup winner last month, gets his reward after twice suffering injuries in an Ireland jersey and dropping down the pecking order.

Leinster captain Corrigan fills the massive void left by the retired Peter Clohessy at loose-head, while Keith Gleeson gets his first start at openside.

Lions lock Malcolm O'Kelly's shin problem sees him miss out, although he may yet make the replacements bench after a full contact session on Monday.

It means that the in-form Gary Longwell, Ulster's only representative on the side, has young Paul O'Connell as his second-row partner.

Ireland: G Dempsey; G Murphy; B O'Driscoll, J Kelly, J Bishop; R O'Gara, P Stringer; R Corrigan, K Wood, capt, J Hayes, G Longwell, P O'Connell, S Easterby, K Gleeson, A Foley. Replacements to be named later.


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