IRELAND'S former Harrogate flanker Simon Easterby has kept his place on the back row for the second Test against New Zealand at Eden Park.

Ireland are desperate to build on the good work they showed in the first Test before they finally succumbed to the All Black power 15-6.

And Irish coach Eddie O'Sullivan has opted to stick with the same XV which started the match, meaning Easterby, who put in an impressive display, keeps the No6 shirt, while his brother Guy is almost certainly going to have to be content with a spot on the bench.

While O'Sullivan has gone for consistency, New Zealand coach John Mitchell will pay the Irish the ultimate compliment by wheeling out powerhouse winger Jonah Lomu for the tie.

Ireland: G Dempsey, G Murphy, B O'Driscoll, J Kelly, J Bishop, R O'Gara, P Stringer, R Corrigan, K Wood (c), J Hayes, G Longwell, P O'Connell, S Easterby, K Gleeson, A Foley.

Updated: 11:29 Wednesday, June 19, 2002