FRIDAY, 12.30PM:
THE IRISH touring squad has named a shadow test side for their match against Western Province at Newlands on Saturday.
Ten of the players chosen for the team played in the tour opener when Ireland beat Boland 48-35 at Wellington last Saturday. Jonathan Bell, who is struggling with a hamstring injury, was not considered for the team.
Test hooker Keith Wood will probably be played against Griqualand West before claiming the number-two jersey for the first test against the Springboks in Bloemfontein on June 13.
Flanker Trevor Brennan, who played an incredible game against South Western Districts in his team’s 27-20 defeat on Wednesday, may still be able to force his way into the test line-up.
The flanker will most certainly play in the first test if he performs against Griqualand West, and if David Corkery’s performance against Province isn’t top-notch.
Irish Team.
Connor O’Shea, Justin Bishop, Mark McCall, Kevin Maggs, Dennis Hickie, Eric Elwood, Conor McGuiness, Dion O’Cuinneagain, Andrew ward, David Corkery, Malcolm O’Kelly, Paddy Johns (c), Paul Wallace, Allan Clarke, Justin Fitzpatrick.