Heaslip named Ireland skipper

Published: Thursday, 8. November, 2012 in category Ireland
Jamie Heaslip: Will lead Ireland against South Africa

The Leinster number eight has been named captain in the injury-enforced absence of Brian O'Driscoll, Paul O'Connell and Rory Best.

Ireland's growing casualty list has forced coach Declan Kidney to name a new-look team, with Simon Zebo starting at full-back and Richardt Strauss featuring at hooker.

Ireland team to face South Africa at Aviva Stadium, Dublin, on Saturday, November 10, 5:30pm: S Zebo (Munster); T Bowe (Ulster), K Earls (Munster), G D'Arcy (Leinster), A Trimble (Ulster); J Sexton (Leinster), C Murray (Munster); C Healy (Leinster), R Strauss (Leinster), M Ross (Leinster), D Ryan (Munster), M McCarthy (Connacht), P O'Mahony (Munster), C Henry (Ulster), J Heaslip (Leinster, capt).

Replacements: S Cronin (Leinster), D Kilcoyne (Munster), M Bent (Leinster), D O'Callaghan (Munster), I Henderson (Ulster), E Reddan (Leinster), R O'Gara (Munster), F McFadden (Leinster).