Recovered: Brian O'Driscoll
Brian O'Driscoll returns to the Ireland starting line-up for Saturday's Six Nations opener against Wales in Cardiff.
In the backline, Gordon D'Arcy and Brian O'Driscoll will partner each other in the centre for a world record 48th time at international level.
Rob Kearney returns to international rugby and starts at full back to win his 42nd cap with Simon Zebo and Craig Gilroy named on the wings.
Second rows Mike McCarthy and Donnacha Ryan will start a championship game together for the first time, with McCarthy making his first start in the tournament having featured as a replacement last season.
Sean O'Brien returns to the starting team after missing the November internationals in a back row that includes Peter O'Mahony and Jamie Heaslip, who will captain Ireland in the Six Nations Championship for the first time.
Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Craig Gilroy, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Peter O'Mahony, 5 Mike McCarthy, 4 Donnacha Ryan, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Declan Fitzpatrick, 19 Donncha O'Callaghan, 20 Chris Henry, 21 Eoin Reddan, 22 Ronan O'Gara, 23 Keith Earls.
Date: Saturday, 2 February
Venue: Millennium Stadium
Kick-off: 13:30 GMT
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa) and Pascal Gauzere (France)
Comments
MunsterRedArmy says...
Before getting all worked up how Henry is way better at 7 than POM and how you'd play him there and not POM, see who's actually playing where.
Team looks great! I miss Tommy Bowe in the mix, but this is excellent opportunity for Zebo and Gilroy to show if they are international class players. Regarding ROG and other flyhalves, we need an experienced backup with excellent foot who can keep opposition under pressure in their 22 and one who is reliable with drop kicks (hopefully we wont need anything like that).
G'WAN IRELAND!!!
Posted 13:18 30th January 2013
PatrickH says...
I think O'Brien has come on a long way as a 7 since the WC. Warburton or Tipuric will not have it handy on Saturday.
Posted 12:20 30th January 2013
ronanmeagher says...
@99call - I think you have it spot on, and I think so does Kidney (this time). It really does look like it was a toss of a coin between Henry and O'Mahony. It'll be interesting to see who comes off when the time comes.
Regarding Trimble, I think he can always do a job but to be honest he played himself out of the squad in the Wolfhounds game. It didn't see the full match, but what I did see, he made some horrible mistakes. But on the flip-side I think Michael Bent did the same and am delighted to see Fitzpatrick covering tighthead.
Posted 11:52 30th January 2013
99call says...
Ive really wonder about some of the people on here with their selections and combinations, yes Henry should be at 7 with either OMahony or OBrien at 6 but its still a decent backrow.
its the centre combos that some people are thinking of that make me laugh, I think that some people just do a lucky dip and which ever player pops out should be in at 12.
Remember who we're playing on saturday this is one of the biggest most physical backlines in world rugby so those of you who are coming up with ideas such Darren Cave out of position at 12, Madigan at 10 with Sexton at 12 catch yourself on!!! Roberts would make mincemeat of that running down the 10/12 channel. You cant just think about who is going to throw the ball around and create attacking chances strangely enough we will have to defend as well during the game.
So Im not Kidneys biggest fan by any means but I think hes got it right apart from Henry but at least hes on the bench so theres an opportunity to change during the game if necessary, lets be honest he could have gone for the same old thing and put Trimble and Earls on the wings, I do think Trimble may have been a little hard done by, but hes gone with youth and speed which is great and quite a significant move for him
So get behind your side and none of this "I support Ireland but not Kidney" rubbish its all or nothing
Wales 12 - 19 Ireland
Posted 09:30 30th January 2013
Irishzimbabwean says...
Unbelievable that Chris Henry does no start - Sam Warburton is going to clean up in the loose. Has Kidney forgotten the RWC Quarter Final already?
Question - is Kidney the sole selector or is there still a panel?
Posted 04:45 30th January 2013
Cabhan says...
For a Kidney selection I'm pretty happy with this. Henry is the only missing link in my book. Reckon there's a lot of crap talk about the size of our wingers as the only way we are going to win is to be in their faces with a rush defence. Last year was ridiculous how we stood off and let bigger men get up a head of steam against us. They were over the gain line every time with minimal effort. If we're on top of them, I don't see any defensive issues. All of Ireland's best performances in recent years have been built on this strategy. BOD is a master at this and if they get it right, the Welsh wings won't even see the ball. If Gilroy picks up where he left off, North won't touch him. Great to see wingers picked for their attacking prowess, no point picking them for defensive capabilities.
On a separate note, I was definitely a Murray critic last year, but he's a different player this year. He was great in the AIs and has kept his form si ce then. Reddan. Who this time last year I would have been screaming to start ahead of him hasn't. I reckon Ireland will beat Wales and anything can happen after that
Posted 00:11 30th January 2013
mcdb06 says...
Think Kidney got it right based on players available. Henry is unlucky not to be starting. Regardless of what team was picked people would find a reason to whinge about Kidney and Ireland.
Posted 23:42 29th January 2013
Cabhan says...
Dear editor, doesn't make sense to have to scroll up through the comments the. Back down again to move to next page. Can't you change that?
Posted 23:39 29th January 2013
shrimps says...
@ ArmchairGeneral
even if his decisions come good now, i doubt it would make up for the times that they haven't which would be the vast majority. there's also his utter failure to take a risk with selection when the match hasn't been of significance. i dunno, i think the irish "fans" seem to be giving him a fair criticism given his flaws.
Posted 22:56 29th January 2013
TVaddict says...
I would have thought that a back row of 6) Peter O'Mahony, 7) Chris Henry,8) Sean O'Brien would have been your strongest combination. All three have been performing fantastically and deserve their place far more than Heaslip. Plus I'd like to see O'Brien at 8 more as he is such a fantastic ball carrier.
I would have thought that moving Zebo to 14 and keeping Gilroy at 11 would have been better defensively. Gilroy is young and his defensive stats don't make for good reading, so why make that harder by moving him out of position? Also, Gordon D'Arcy at 12 won't be scaring any teams, maybe Downey or a younger option?
Anyway, Ireland by 5.
Posted 22:23 29th January 2013
Qkram79 says...
jbscott19: Are you for real?
Posted 22:04 29th January 2013
ciaran1792 says...
We need to play without inhibition and with skill. Ball has to go to hand and to the backs. The Welsh have bigger men we know this, so the key will be the rush defense. We cant let them get momentum or we will be on the back foot we have to blitz them and most of all protect the ball at the rucks properly. We also cant get isolated the Welsh backs and forwards are very physical so we will have to be alert but we just have to play our game the way we know we can play.
I feel that Kidney is starting to make the changes and I applaud him for that but I really wanted to see Daren Cave in also Iain Henderson is well. I also feel he made a great decision picking Declan Fitzpatrick at reserve tight head. I don't think Bent is up to scratch just yet another year or so to develop as a great tight head but he has potential.
what is crucial to Ireland is that we play smart and with pace we have a great side and I like the youth in this team Zebo and Gilroy are good attacking wingers but I am concerned with their defensive prows hopefully my concerns are proven wrong come Saturday.
Posted 20:10 29th January 2013
Ulsterman1999 says...
@SUFTUM
I couldn't agree more with feelings regarding a pro Munster bias. Sometimes I can't help but feel that players north of the boarder have to work twice as hard to be considered than other players elsewhere.
Before I too get my head bitten off let me state that i'm not suggesting that the team be littered with players from Ulster. At present our team is held together by world class overseas players and I would be the first to admit that at present the majority of the Irish side should be selected from Munster and Leinster as they have better Irish qualified players.
However when a player does come along, such as Henry, it appears they have to work twice as hard to get in the side. Only exceptional Ulster players consistantly make the side - Ferris - Best - Bowe. Whilst avarage players from other provinces, such as Earls, can just walk into the starting line up.
Posted 19:52 29th January 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
@Dezz: goes without saying... all Welsh fans always go for a Welsh win.
I am looking forward to the Kidney hard calls come good and proving all the Ireland "fans" being corrected... ROG coming on at 60 mins to bring in some experience when BOD takes his well earned rest and kicking points and field position to extend and secure the Irish victory. With man of the match to O'Mahoney. Go Ireland!!!!
Posted 19:09 29th January 2013
jbscott19 says...
Oh Deccie
So many selection cock ups.
Henry has to start.
Darcy is light weight and past it. I know now is not the time to experiment, but why not stick O'Brien at inside centre? He can tackle hard against the much larger backlines that Ireland are going to face this season.
Trimble would be a much better option than all the rest put together. He is playing well and can blast through the small gaps that Darcy is always getting caught in.
I am not even sure O'Driscoll is up to much any more. Playing on his reputation??????
Lets hope Deccie's contract is not renewed this summer. Bring on Conor O'Shea.
Posted 18:49 29th January 2013
gleek says...
D'Arcy has had a decent season (unlike last year when he was woefully out of form and starting) thus far so I am glad he is in. A bit worried about BOD though, whose class is unquestionable but match fitness must be lacking, against a very good Welsh midfield.
It is as expected really. I really hope that ROG doesn't make his customary appearance on the 65 minute mark. Can understand him as a back up in case Sexton gets hurt but not as any kind of an impact sub.
Agree with most posters about Henry v O'Mahoney. PO'M is a decent 6 and an adequate 8 but I fear he will struggle against Warburton. I actually think O'Donnell has been excellent since returning from injury but I accept he is a long way to away from proving he is an international openside.
Would have liked to see Henderson in the side. Many people felt Lancbury was under cooked for England and now he is a mooted Lions starter. They are a similar size though I reckon Henderson is a better football. That said O'Callaghan is also in better form this year that last so perhaps rewarding him isn't the worst think Kidney has done.
Posted 18:18 29th January 2013
Bones7 says...
Good side by the looks of things, surprising selections for Kidney. Good to see McCarthy remaining, it would be interesting to see if O'Callaghan would still have been picked were O'Connell and Tuohy fit, my prediction is that he would have been regardless.
Posted 18:10 29th January 2013
SUFTUM says...
Some good calls, but some typical Declan brainfarts. I used to think like many he had a pro-Munster bias, but now I think that is actually being too kind and he is just an idiot. Here's my opinion of the 23, including some Deccie in his infinite wisdom left out of the 33 man squad. This is just my opinion, don't crucify me;
Healy Best Ross
McCarthy Ryan
O'Brien Heaslip Henry
Murray Sexton
Cave BOD
Gilroy Kearney Trimble
Subs: Cronin Court Fitzpatrick O'Callaghan McLaughlin Reddan Jackson Fitzgerald
Posted 18:06 29th January 2013
pierredelot1 says...
BOD yes but D'Arcy, give me strength. Sell by date gone, packaging disintegrated. Good development for the next World Cup. Now we'll see what Zebo is made of. Front row will be interesting . Rog on the subs bench, thats a kick in the head for you.
Posted 18:00 29th January 2013
decky100 says...
Guys let's face it.. it's probably the best Ireland team we can front at the minute. O'brien is actually at 7 (its on the official ire site.) pleasantly surprised Gilroy is starting, great pace in the backline generally. and for all those pre-empting what channels are going to be exposed etc.. realistically noone has any idea what's going to happen on Saturday. let's just enjoy the drama and stop bashing our coach. yes he's conservative at the best of times in his approach but he knows the form of the players and what qualities they can bring to the table better than we do. Get behind the team :D these six nations results are never predictable as you well know by now..
Posted 17:59 29th January 2013