NINE LIONS IN IRISH XV

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33694, 18 November 1974, Page 28

NINE LIONS IN IRISH XV

fN.Z.P.A. Staff Correspondent! BELFAST. Ireland has retained the experienced hooker, K. W. Kennedy, and introduced two new backs into its team to meet the AU Blacks in the test match at Dublin next Saturday. The newcomers are the left wing, P. Parfrey, and the centre, J. Crowe, both of whom have already played against* the All Blacks twice on the present tour. Kennedy, a member of the British Lions in South Africa this year, has been ignored by the Ulster selectors for the last two matches, including Saturday’s against the AU Blacks. But the panel of five selectors, including the Lions coach, Mr S. Millar, has opted for Kennedy’s experience ahead of the

potential of P. Whelan (Munster). Parfrey and Crowe played for Combined Irish Universities in the opening match of the tour, and subsequently for Munster and Leinster, respectively. Both impressed as solid players lacking in spectacular qualities.

The retirement of A. McMaster has given Parfrey, a 24-year-old medical student, his chance, and the achiUes tendon injury to C. M. H. Gibson lets Crowe, a 22-year-old commerce student, a son of M. Crowe, the Irish centre from 1929 to 1933, into the team. Gibson came through a club match successfully on Saturday, but he has not convinced the selectors that he is fit enough for international Rugby. The Irish team includes seven members of the Bri-

tish Lions in South Africa this year, and two former Lions, the props, R. J. McLoughlin and J. F. Lynch. The Lions captain, W. J. Mcßride, will lead the side. It is.—— A. H. Ensor; T. O. Grace, R. A. Milliken, Crowe, Parfrey; M. W. Quinn, 3. Moloney; T. A. Moore; J. F. Slattery, Mcßride, M. I. Keane, S. A. McKinney; McLoughlin, Kennedy, Lynch. With the exception of Kennedy and McLoughlin, who will lead Connacht against the All Blacks at Galway on Wednesday, the All Blacks have already played against all the Irish players on their present tour. Lions from the 1974 side in the team are Grace, Milliken, Moloney, Slattery, McKinney, Mcßride and Kennedy.