Official RBS 6 Nations Rugby : McCarthy handed Test debut for Scotland clash

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Mike McCarthy will make his Test debut against Scotland on Saturday

McCarthy handed Test debut for Scotland clash

4 August 2011, 3:37 pm

By Sportsbeat

Ireland head coach Declan Kidney has handed an international debut to Connacht flanker Mike McCarthy in a largely experimental side to take on Scotland in their first World Cup warm-up game on Saturday.

Lock Leo Cullen will captain his country for the first time when he leads his side out at Murrayfield while full-back and British and Irish Lion Rob Kearney returns from injury to make his first appearance since November.

McCarthy wins his first cap at blindside flanker in an otherwise experienced back-row that includes 50-cap man Denis Leamy and Munster’s Niall Ronan.

Tom Court, Sean Cronin and Tony Buckley will make up the front row for the men in green with a new centre partnership in the back line of Paddy Wallace and Fergus McFadden.

Andrew Trimble and Luke Fitzgerald start on the wings with the likely first choice half-back pairing of Tomas O’Leary and Jonathan Sexton pulling the strings.

15. Rob Kearney - Leinster
14. Andrew Trimble - Ulster
13. Fergus McFadden - Leinster
12. Paddy Wallace - Ulster
11. Luke Fitzgerald - Leinster
10. Jonathan Sexton - Leinster
9. Tomas O'Leary - Munster
1. Tom Court - Ulster
2. Sean Cronin - Leinster
3. Tony Buckley - Sale
4. Donnacha Ryan - Munster
5. Leo Cullen - Leinster
6. Mike McCarthy - Connacht
7. Niall Ronan - Munster
8. Denis Leamy - Munster

Replacements

16. Jerry Flannery - Munster
17. Marcus Horan - Munster
18. John Hayes - Munster
19. Mick O’Driscoll - Munster
20. Kevin McLaughlin - Leinster
21. Isaac Boss - Leinster
22. Felix Jones - Munster