KEY POINTS:
DUBLIN - Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll will return to lead his team in their Six Nations rugby match against England at Croke Park on Sunday (NZT) after missing the 20-17 defeat to France.
"Brian O'Driscoll returns to the team at outside centre after recovering from his hamstring injury," the Irish Rugby Football Union said in a statement today.
The skipper's return means Leinster wing Shane Horgan will move from inside centre to the right wing in place of Geordan Murphy while Gordon D'Arcy will return to the No.12 position.
Peter Stringer, another notable absentee from the February 11 game, may not be ready to play this weekend, however.
"There is one vacancy in the starting team at halfback as the Irish management will give Peter Stringer further time to recover from his hand injury," the IRFU said.
"If Stringer does not recover in time, Isaac Boss will again start the game, with Eoin Reddan coming onto the bench."
Ireland:
15-Girvan Dempsey; 14-Shane Horgan, 13-Brian O'Driscoll (Captain), 12-Gordon D'Arcy, 11-Denis Hickie; 10-Ronan O'Gara, 9-(to be named); 8-Denis Leamy, 7-David Wallace, 6-Simon Easterby, 5-Paul O'Connell, 4-Donncha O'Callaghan, 3-John Hayes, 2-Rory Best, 1-Marcus Horan
Reserves:
16-Jerry Flannery, 17-Simon Best, 18-Mick O'Driscoll, 19-Neil Best, 20-Isaac Boss or Eoin Reddan, 21-Paddy Wallace, 22-Andrew Trimble.
- REUTERS
