TADCASTER-born scrum-half Guy Easterby has been dropped from the Ireland rugby union team to play Wales in the Lloyds-TSB Six Nations Championship at Cardiff on Saturday.

He was criticised by the Irish press after Ireland's defeat by Scotland a fortnight ago, when he was substituted.

Ireland coach Warren Gatland has opted to reinstall Peter Stringer to the No 9 berth, with Llanelli star Easterby dropping to the bench - one of seven changes for the match in Cardiff.

Simon Easterby, Guy's brother, is ruled out because of the injury he suffered against Scotland which forced him to go off.

Gatland has recalled Mick Galwey, David Wallace, Eric Miller, Kevin Maggs, Gary Longwell and David Humphreys to the side as he looks to finish the Six Nations Championship with two wins.

The biggest casualty from the wholesale changes is the in-form Munster fly-half Ronan O'Gara, while Malcolm O'Kelly, Jeremy Davidson and Kieron Dawson are also dropped.

Leicester flyer Geordan Murphy misses out through injury.

Ireland (v Wales): G Dempsey, S Horgan, K Maggs, B O'Driscoll, D Hickie, D Humphreys, P Stringer, P Clohessy, K Wood, J Hayes, M Galwey, G Longwell, E Miller, A Foley, D Wallace. Replacements: G Easterby, R O'Gara, M Mullins, E Byrne, F Sheahan, M O'Kelly, K Dawson.

Updated: 12:24 Wednesday, October 10, 2001