Dempsey will be inducted into the Irish Rugby Union Players’ Association (IRUPA) Hall of Fame.

O’Driscoll’s 100th game was a win, but not particularly entertaining!

An early setback for Ireland had us worried when D’Arcy limped off with a leg injury, fortunately in-form Kearney came off the bench. Only for Wales to put themselves down to 14 men with Byrne sin-binned for killing the ball.

Keith Earls cored in the 23rd minute thanks to O’Driscoll’s offload, and O’Leary followed it up with one of his own shortly after on the half hour mark. Earls got a second in the second half to close out Wales who’s entire 12 points were Stephen Jones penalties.

Had it not been for Sexton’s poor kicking form Wales would have lost by a lot more (I know we need to get him ready for the World Cup but this is getting silly!), he missed three of his five first-half attempts including a straightforward conversion. He made up for some it with a late drop-goal.

France have now beaten Ireland six times in a row at home and move up to fourth in the rankings. England rank sixth.

IRB World Rankings:

1(1) NEW ZEALAND 91.68 rating points
2(2) SOUTH AFRICA 88.60
3(3) AUSTRALIA 85.56
4(5) FRANCE 84.40
5(4) IRELAND 83.33
6(6) ENGLAND 81.77
7(7) ARGENTINA 80.56
8(8) WALES 79.63
9(9) FIJI 75.90
10(10) SCOTLAND 75.51

15-Rob Kearney,
14-Tommy Bowe,
13-Brian O’Driscoll (captain),
12-Gordon D’Arcy,
11-Keith Earls,
10-Ronan O’Gara,
9-Tomas O’Leary;
8-Jamie Heaslip,
7-David Wallace,
6-To be confirmed,
5-Paul O’Connell,
4-Leo Cullen,
3-John Hayes,
2-Jerry Flannery,
1-Cian Healy.

Replacements from:
Rory Best,
Tom Court,
Donnacha Ryan,
Sean O’Brien,
Kevin McLaughlin,
Eoin Reddan,
Jonathan Sexton,
Paddy Wallace,
Andrew Trimble.

From the South African perspective, they have Schalk Burger back in the team and there are great expectations of the forward. This means that Heinrich Brussow has to warm the bench for this game and Ricky Januarie has been relegated to the same position. Other than the addition of Chiliboy Ralepelle to the bench, there is no other change to the Springbok squad.

According to the Bok coach, they are keen to keep as close to the winning team as possible from their first successful outing against the Lions. They are prepared for a monumental clash come game day.

This is certainly the feeling on the Lions’ side of things as well. They have tried to keep the team as close to the last game as possible and want to make sure that they go out fighting against a strong Bok side. It is clear that there is everything to play for in the second test and the Lions know that they have a big job ahead of them.

Lions: Rob Kearney, Tommy Bowe, Brian O’Driscoll, Jamie Roberts, Luke Fitzgerald, Stephen Jones, Mike Phillips; Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees, Adam Jones, Simon Shaw, Paul O’Connell, Tom Croft, David Wallace, Jamie Heaslip.

Replacements: Ross Ford, Andrew Sheridan (for Jenkins, blood, 22-31, 45), Alun-Wyn Jones (for A Jones, 45), Martyn Williams (for Wallace, 68), Harry Ellis, Ronan O’Gara (for Roberts 67), Shane Williams (for O’Driscoll, 64).

SOUTH AFRICA TEAM & REPLACEMENTS (v British & Irish Lions, 2009 Test series, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, Saturday, June 27, kick-off 3pm local time/2pm Irish time):

15. Francois Steyn (Sharks)
14. JP Pietersen (Sharks)
13. Adrian Jacobs (Sharks)
12. Jean de Villiers (Stormers)
11. Bryan Habana (Bulls)
10. Ruan Pienaar (Sharks)
9. Fourie du Preez (Bulls)
1. Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks)
2. Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks)
3. John Smit (Sharks) (capt)
4. Bakkies Botha (Bulls)
5. Victor Matfield (Bulls)
6. Schalk Burger (Stormers)
7. Juan Smith (Cheetahs)
8. Pierre Spies (Bulls)

Replacements:

16. Chiliboy Ralepelle (Bulls)
17. Deon Carstens (Sharks)
18. Andries Bekker (Stormers)
19. Danie Rossouw (Bulls)
20. Heinrich Brussow (Cheetahs)
21. Jaque Fourie (Lions)
22. Morné Steyn (Bulls)

Brian O’Driscoll experienced this feeling when the announcement was made that he has been voted as IRUPA Players’ Player of the Year. This continues an incredible year that he has had with some of the most amazing rugby performances of his career thus far.

The center said that this was like a dream come true and something that he has waited for seven years to accomplish. The season has seen him lead Ireland to victory in the 6 Nations tournament and more recently he was instrumental in ensuring Leinster’s place in the Heineken Cup Final.

Great things are expected from him in the final next week and then of course during the British and Irish Lions’ Tour to South Africa later this month.

Their Scottish opponents were unable to match their pace and skill as they trounced them 23-0. The Irish completely outclassed the Scottish and Niamh Briggs was a great asset to the team with two penalties and a try thanks to her. Other try scorers included Tania Rosser and Lynne Cantwell.

There are hopes that this will take the Irish women closer to the top of the leader board, putting them in a strong position when they take on Wales next week.

SCOTLAND WOMEN: Lucy Millard (Murrayfield Wanderers); Cara D’Silva (Royal High Corstorphine), Laura Steven (Murrayfield Wanderers), Erin Kerr (Richmond), Victoria Blakebrough (Richmond); Tanya Griffith (Royal High Corstorphine), Louise Dalgliesh (Royal High Corstorphine); Heather Lockhart (Hillhead/Jordanhill), Sarah-Louise Walker (Watsonians), Beth Dickens (Murrayfield Wanderers), Louise Moffat (Kirkcaldy), Lana Blyth (Murrayfield Wanderers), Lynne Reid (Royal High Corstorphine) (capt), Ruth Slaven (Murrayfield Wanderers), Susie Brown (Hillhead/Jordanhill).

Replacements used: Suzi Newton (Team Northumbria) for Griffith, Sarah Gill (Murrayfield Wanderers) for Dalgliesh (both 52 mins), Ellen Beattie (Murrayfield Wanderers) for Dickens, Joy Lyth (Lismore) for Moffat (both 65), Keri Holdsworth (Watsonians) for Brown (74), Nikki McLeod (Edinburgh University) for Slaven (76). Not used: Lynsey Douglas (Richmond).

IRELAND WOMEN: Niamh Briggs (Clonmel/Munster); Jeannette Feighery (UL Bohemians/Munster), Lynne Cantwell (UL Bohemians/Munster), Shannon Houston (Blackrock/Leinster), Amy Davis (Blackrock/Ulster); Joanne O’Sullivan (Richmond/Ulster), Tania Rosser (Blackrock/Leinster); Fiona Coghlan (UL Bohemians/Leinster), Yvonne Nolan (Blackrock/Leinster), Gillian Bourke (UL Bohemians/Munster), Caroline Mahon (UL Bohemians/Leinster), Orla Brennan (Blackrock/Leinster), Louise Austin (Blackrock/Leinster), Sinead Ryan (Navan/Leinster), Joy Neville (UL Bohemians/Munster) (capt).

Replacements used: Debbie Clarke (Blackrock/Leinster) for Austin (47 mins), Kate O’Loughlin (Clonmel/Munster) for Mahon (54), Lauren Day (Cooke/Ulster) for Neville (68), Helen Brosnan (Highfield/Munster) for Houston, Louise Beamish (UL Bohemians/Munster) for Davis, Laura Nicholl (Cooke/Ulster) for O’Sullivan, Helen Jones (Highfield/Connacht) for Rosser (all 74).

Referee: Brendan Fitzmaurice (England)

The center partnership between these two players is often thought to be Ireland’s most successful ever. There is a great deal of understanding between them as they have played together for many years at both a club and national level.  Also joining the team include Rory Best, Peter Stringer and Denis Loamy – all of whom have been recognized as talented players that can make a vital impact on the game.

This weekend’s match is at Murrayfield and the Irish are going to have to pull out something extra special to maintain their unbeaten record and keep the hopes of a Grand Slam alive.

Irish Team

15 - Robert Kearney (UCD – Leinster)

14 - Tommy Bowe (Ospreys)

13 - Brian O’Driscoll (UCD – Leinster) (capt)

12 - Gordon D’Arcy (Lansdowne – Leinster)

11 - Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College – Leinster)

10 - Ronan O’Gara (Cork Constitution – Munster)

9 - Peter Stringer (Shannon – Munster)

1 - Marcus Horan (Shannon – Munster)

2 - Rory Best (Banbridge – Ulster)

3 - John Hayes (Bruff – Munster)

4 - Donncha O’Callaghan (Cork Constitution – Munster)

5 - Paul O’Connell (Young Munster – Munster)

6 - Stephen Ferris (Dungannon – Ulster)

7 - David Wallace (Garryowen – Munster)

8 - Denis Leamy (Cork Constitution – Munster)

Replacements:

16 - Jerry Flannery (Shannon – Munster)
17 - Tom Court (Malone – Ulster)
18 - Mick O’Driscoll (Cork Constitution – Munster)
19 - Jamie Heaslip (Naas – Leinster)
20 - Tomas O’Leary (Dolphin – Munster)
21 - Paddy Wallace (Ballymena – Ulster)
22 - Geordan Murphy (Leicester)

The Irish scored a try in the second minute of the game thanks to the efforts of Brain Tuohy and no doubt they thought this might be a sign of things to come. Nothing could have been further from the truth as the final whistle revealed that these were going to be the only points they scored in the entire game.

The Samoan side was just too impressive for the Irish and this is perhaps not surprising as they do focus a lot on the Sevens format of the game. But they completely outclassed Ireland eventually scoring five tries (all of which were converted by Lolo Lui) to take the game 35-5.

When looking back at the game, the team’s captain Keiran Campbell stated that they had been a bit soft at times and this let them down, despite the fact that they worked hard. They take on Australia and Portugal tomorrow and will hope for better results.

IRELAND: Kyle Tonetti (Blackrock College – Leinster), James Coughlan (Dolphin – Munster), Paul Marshall (Belfast Harlequins – Ulster), Brian Carney (Clonakilty – Munster), Brian Tuohy (Cornish Pirates), Daniel Riordan (Buccaneers – Connacht), Gary Brown (Blackrock College – Leinster).
Replacements: Eoghan Grace (Shannon – Munster), Kieran Campbell (Galwegians – Connacht), Felix Jones (Old Belvedere – Leinster), Conan Doyle (Garryowen – Munster), Tom Gleeson (Cork Constitution – Munster).

SAMOA: Ofisa Treviranus, Alafoti Faosiliva, Afa Aiono, Uale Mai, Lolo Lui, Jerry Meafou, Rupena Levasa.
Replacements: Simaika Mikaele, Apelu Fa’aiuga, Etuale Pitone, Alatasi Tupou, Morgan Salesa.
Referee: Marcelo Pilara (Argentina)

Paddy Wallace’s position was thought to be under threat after Gordon D’Arcy’s return (and try!) during Saturday’s match. Wallace left the pitch covered in blood but has been given the all-clear for the game in Rome.

Flannery has recovered from his shoulder ‘stinger’ and stays in the squad whilst Kidney resists calls to bring in Keith Earls or squeeze Denis Leamy into the back-row.

O’Driscoll will earn his 90th cap, and John Hayes will equal the current Irish record of 91 appearance (the record is held by Malcolm O’Kelly who is named in the replacements!).

IRELAND TEAM & REPLACEMENTS (v Italy, 2009 RBS 6 Nations Championship, Stadio Flaminio, Sunday, February 15, kick-off 3.30pm local time/2.30pm Irish time):

15 - Robert Kearney (UCD – Leinster)
14 - Tommy Bowe (Ospreys)
13 - Brian O’Driscoll (UCD – Leinster) (capt)
12 - Paddy Wallace (Ballymena – Ulster)
11 - Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College – Leinster)
10 - Ronan O’Gara (Cork Constitution – Munster)
9 - Tomas O’Leary (Dolphin – Munster)

1 - Marcus Horan (Shannon – Munster)
2 - Jerry Flannery (Shannon – Munster)
3 - John Hayes (Bruff- Munster)
4 - Donncha O’Callaghan (Cork Constitution – Munster)
5 - Paul O’Connell (Young Munster – Munster)
6 - Stephen Ferris (Dungannon – Ulster)
7 - David Wallace (Garryowen – Munster)
8 - Jamie Heaslip (Naas – Leinster)

Replacements:

16 - Rory Best (Banbridge – Ulster)
17 - Tom Court (Malone – Ulster)
18 - Malcolm O’Kelly (St. Mary’s College – Leinster)
19 - Denis Leamy (Cork Constitution – Munster)
20 - Peter Stringer (Shannon – Munster)
21 - Gordon D’Arcy (Lansdowne – Leinster)
22 - Geordan Murphy (Leicester)