Rugby Union: First cap for Cronin

Ben Cronin, the Garryowen No 8, is the only new Irish cap in the side to play the United States in Dublin on 5 November. Cronin comes into the back row in place of Brian Robinson, who has a knee injury which will keep him out of contention for at least six weeks.

Also back in the side is Brendan Mullin, who retired from representative rugby in 1992 but made himself available for selection again this season.

Now aged 31, he is still expected to add considerably to Ireland's midfield attack.

IRELAND (v United States, Dublin, 5 November): C O'Shea (Lansdowne); S Geoghegan (Bath), B Mullin (Blackrock College), P Danaher (Garryowen), J Bell (Ballymena); E Elwood (Lansdowne), M Bradley (Cork Constitution, capt); N Popplewell (Wasps), K Wood (Garryowen), P Clohessy (Young Munster), P Johns (Dungannon), N Francis (Old Belvedere), A N Other, D Corkery (Cork Constitution), B Cronin (Garryowen). Replacements: C Clarke (Terenure College), G Fulcher (Cork Constitution), A McGowan (Blackrock College), J Fitzgerald (Young Munster), A Rolland (Blackrock College), T Kingston (Dolphin).