Simon Zebo rewarded for 5-starperformances

IT appears that Munster wing Simon Zebo is just a few games off his first full Ireland cap after being named on the left wing for O2 Ireland Wolfhouds.

Ulster Back row Chris Henry will lead the side against the England Saxons this Saturday in Exeter. Ian Keatley starts at outhalf with Damian Varley of Garryowen at hooker.

Zebo's rise through the ranks has been quite spectacular, helped by the unfortunate injuries to Felix Jones and Dougie Howlett, and he certainly has taken the opportunity with open arms. An outstanding athlete and lethal finisher, he first came to prominence when playing in the Avonmore Munster Schools Cup, progressing to Cork Constitution and then to the Munster Academy. Another sparkler on Saturday will edge him further towards a place on the Irish bench for the Six Nations.

The match can be seen live on Sky Sports.

O2 Ireland Wolfhounds (v England Saxons, Sandy Park, Exeter, Saturday, 28th January 2012, K.O. 5.00pm):

15 - Gavin Duffy (Galwegians/Connacht)

14 - David Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster) *

13 - Eoin O'Malley (Old Belvedere/Leinster) *

12 - Nevin Spence (Ballynahinch/Ulster) *

11 - Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster)*

10 - Ian Keatley (Young Munster/Munster)

9 - Isaac Boss (Terenure College/Leinster)

1 - Brett Wilkinson (Galwegians/Connacht)*

2 - Damien Varley (Garryowen/Munster)

3 - Stephen Archer (Cork Constitution/Munster) *

4 - Dan Tuohy (Ballymena/Ulster)

5 - Mike McCarthy (Buccaneers/Connacht)

6 - John Muldoon (Galwegians/Connacht)

7 - Chris Henry (Ballymena/Ulster) Captain

8 - Rhys Ruddock (St. Mary's College/Leinster)

Replacements:

16 - Mike Sherry (Garryowen/Munster)*

17 - Ronan Loughney (Galwegians/Connacht)*

18 - Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster)

19 - Kevin McLaughlin (St. Mary's College/Leinster)

20 - Tomas O'Leary (Dolphin/Munster)

21 - Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)*

22 - Denis Hurley (Cork Constitution/Munster)

*Denotes Uncapped at full international level