North V South team

MG

North XV:

North XV: 15 Chris Paterson (Edinburgh, Scotland), 14 Mirco Bergamasco (Stade Français, Italy), 13 Ollie Smit (Leicester, England), 12 Damien Traille (Biarritz Olympique, France), 11 Ben Cohen (Northampton, England), 10 David Humphreys (Ulster, Ireland), 9 Gareth Cooper (Newport Gwent, Wales), 8 Simon Taylor (Edinburgh, Scotland), 7 Pat Sanderson (Worcester, England), 6 Lawrence Dallaglio (Wasps, England captain), 5 Donncha O’Callaghan (Munster, Ireland), 4 Marco Bortolami (RC Narbonne, Italy), 3 Chris Horsman (Worcester), 2 Andy Titterrell (Sale Sharks, England), 1 John Yapp (Cardiff, Wales).
Replacements: 16 Raphaël Ibanez (Saracens, France), 17 Cédric Soulette( ASM Clermont Auvergne, France), 18 Oliver Brouzet (Stade Français, France), 19 Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys, Wales), 20 Mike Phillips (Llanelli, Wales), 21 Ceri Sweeney (Newport Gwent, Wales), 22 Mathew Tait (Newcastle Falcons, England).

Great news that O'Connell isn't picked and O'Driscoll is "injured"

dubal

don't think i'd be too bothered with that team if it was not for charity.

Trojan

Yeah, it's unfortunate timing, there's no way we can allow our best guys take unneccessary hits this week.

Nukem

That seems like an alright team. Bet there were a few phone calls to Clive from Eddie/Ruddock about leaving his players alone

Trojan

It doesn't mention *why* he is not playing...

From PlanetRugby:

Dallaglio to lead the North
Thursday March 03 2005
O'Driscoll assumes a 'pitchside' role

Former England captain Lawrence Dallaglio will captain the North during Saturday's IRB Rugby Aid match after it was announced that original skipper Brian O'Driscoll would assume a 'pitchside' role.

"I have spoken to Brian and he is bitterly disappointed not to be playing," said North boss Sir Clive Woodward

"However, he has come over for the game to show his support from the guys.

"I am delighted that Lawrence is involved as captain. He is a proven, outstanding player and he is relishing the prospect of stepping up to the mark and taking on the role of captaincy for this unique match."

Trojan

Found it: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/irish/4316133.stm

A "bruised elbow", hmmmm. Scoring his try in such a show-off fashion I'm sure.

BBC Sport wrote:

Ireland are hopeful that centre Gordon D'Arcy will have recovered from injury in time to face France in the RBS Six Nations on 12 March.

Coach Eddie O'Sullivan has named D'Arcy in his 33-man training squad for the crucial Dublin clash.

However, there is fresh concern over skipper Brian O'Driscoll after he withdrew from Saturday's tsunami match.

O'Driscoll sustained a bruised elbow during the victory over England and is being rested as a precaution.

O'Driscoll is a crucial element of Ireland's Six Nations title challenge and has already missed one tournament outing - against Scotland - with a hamstring problem.

Ireland will find their midfield resources stretched should O'Driscoll fail to recover, after it was revealed that Shane Horgan would miss the France game with a thumb injury.

Eoin

Trojan wrote:

Found it: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/irish/4316133.stm

A "bruised elbow", hmmmm. Scoring his try in such a show-off fashion I'm sure.

I know - JUST TOUCH IT DOWN FOR CHRISTS SAKE!!

I hope to God this is just an excuse to make sure he doesn't pick up a knock before the French game?

Trojan

Apparently he's serious strained his hair and Irish management have sent him to London to consult a top hair stylist with regard to treatment.

Nukem

Trojan wrote:

Apparently he's serious strained his hair and Irish management have sent him to London to consult a top hair stylist with regard to treatment.

I thought it was his wrist from over flexing when drinking powerade?

Big Ears

Nukem wrote:

I thought it was his wrist from over flexing when drinking powerade?

no some top wristologists in Germany sorted that problem .

Nukem

Big Ears wrote:

no some top wristologists in Germany sorted that problem .

LOL