Woodward picks O'Driscoll to lead North

Sir Clive Woodward has handed Brian O'Driscoll the captaincy of the Northern Hemisphere side for the IRB Rugby Aid match at Twickenham on March 5 - a gesture that boosts the Ireland star's bid to lead the 2005 British and Irish Lions to New Zealand.

O'Driscoll will lead a star-studded team into battle against a South Hemisphere selection, with all proceeds from the showpiece fixture going to the United Nations' World Food Programme (WFP) to support their vital work in affected areas following December's devastating tsunami in the Indian Ocean.

O'Driscoll will be joined by fellow Ireland stars David Humphreys, Paul O'Connell and Malcolm O'Kelly.

Scotland's Chris Cusiter, Simon Taylor and Gordon Bulloch from Scotland have already been named in the North team.

"I think that all of the rugby community recognises the importance of getting behind this game - not only the players and coaches but administrators, clubs and Unions, all of whom are looking to support the nations affected by the tragedy," said Woodward.

"We have a fantastic group of players that are being invited to play and I am looking forward to choosing the starting XV for the game in March and working with such an outstanding player as Brian in his role as captain."

England's Zurich Premiership clubs will release eight players for the game and among those invited are Lawrence Dallaglio, Jason Robinson and Steve Thompson, while Wales centre Gavin Henson has been asked to play along with France captain Fabien Pelous and Italy's Marco Bortolami.

The South, coached by former Australia coach Rod Macqueen, have already named a host of top-quality players for the match, including South Africa's John Smit and Schalk Burger, Australia's George Gregan and Chris Latham, and Tana Umaga and Andrew Mehrtens from New Zealand.

"It is important to get a top quality team to sell-out this fixture," added Woodward.

"Well done to Rod Macqueen on those players that he has named to participate in what will be a wonderful occasion for a great cause. "

The Northern Hemisphere coach has also strengthened his own team for the game with the appointment of Brian Ashton, England 'A' Coach and RFU National Academies Manager, and Gareth Jenkins, British & Irish Lions Coach and Director of Rugby at Llanelli.

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