Murphy is new captain as Irish ring changes

FULL-BACK Geordan Murphy will captain Ireland against New Zealand Maori in the centenary fixture at Rotorua International Stadium on Friday evening.

It is the first time Murphy, who gained his 67th Ireland cap during Saturday's loss to New Zealand, has led the side. Among other changes, Rhys Ruddock is on the blindside of the scrum alongside Niall Ronan and another uncapped player, Chris Henry, who will play at No8.

Shane Horgan will play on the right wing with Gavin Duffy and Paddy Wallace paired in the centres and Johne Murphy on the left wing. The half-back combination will see Eoin Reddan at scrum-half and Jonathan Sexton at fly-half. A new front-row combination has been named, with Marcus Horan and Tom Court propping the scrum on either side of hooker John Fogarty.

Ireland team to face New Zealand Maori on Friday: Geordan Murphy (captain); Shane Horgan, Gavin Duffy, Paddy Wallace, Johne Murphy; Jonathan Sexton, Eoin Reddan; Marcus Horan, John Fogarty, Tom Court, Ed O'Donoghue, Dan Tuohy, Rhys Ruddock, Niall Ronan, Chris Henry. Replacements: Sean Cronin, John Hayes, Donncha O'Callaghan, David Wallace, Peter Stringer, Ronan O'Gara, Rob Kearney.