Galwey career over?

By Mark Jones

DUBLIN — After 41 international caps, Mick Galwey’s international rugby career appears to be over. Galwey, who has captained Ireland in this season’s three Six Nations games to date, was left out of the squad to play Italy at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.

Galwey’s exit means that Paul O’Connell will start in the second row alongside Malcolm O’Kelly against the Italians, while Keith Wood, who played his first game last weekend after nearly three months on the sideline due to a calf injury, will take over the captaincy once again.

Wood’s return will not make a big difference for Saturday’s game which the Irish are expected to win comfortably. However, he will be badly needed for the last fixture of the championship against France in Paris.

With Kevin Maggs out for the remainder of the season with a broken arm, Shane Horgan will move into the center, with Tyrone Howe coming in on the wing.