Seamus Coleman and Ciaran Clark have been named in the Republic of Ireland team to face Wales on Tuesday.
Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni had already confirmed that the uncapped duo would play in the Carling Nations Cup opener at the Aviva Stadium, with in-form Everton ace Coleman to play on the right wing in front of John O’Shea, while versatile Aston Villa man Ciaran Clark starts at left back.
O’Shea, Richard Dunne and Sean St Ledger fill the rest of the defensive positions as Trapattoni looks to blend Clark into the established side, while Shay Given will captain the team from in goal in the injury-enforced absence of regular skipper, striker Robbie Keane.
With James McCarthy having withdrawn from the squad because of tiredness, Trapattoni is yet to decide if Manchester United’s Darron Gibson or Derby County’s Paul Green will partner Glenn Whelan in midfield, with the experience of Damien Duff on the left wing contrasting that of first-timer Coleman on the other side.
Kevin Doyle, named on Sunday as Ireland’s Player of the Year for 2010 will surprisingly be partnered by Stoke City’s Jonathan Walters in attack, with Senior Young Player of the Year Shane Long having been expected to play alongside his former Reading colleague.
Republic of Ireland: Given; O'Shea, Dunne, St Ledger, Clark; Coleman, Whelan, Gibson/Green, Duff; Walters, Doyle.