Fit again: Craig Gilroy
Ireland have made one change in the backs to their starting XV to face Italy in Rome on Saturday, with Craig Gilroy on the wing.
Gilroy, who missed the game against France with a groin strain, returns in place of Fergus McFadden who is unavailable due to a rib injury.
Jonathan Sexton has been ruled out after being originally named at fly-half, with Paddy Jackson starting at 10 and Ian Madigan on the bench.
There are also further changes among the replacements with Devin Toner coming into the match squad in place of Donncha O'Callaghan, along with Paul Marshall for the injured Eoin Reddan.
Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Craig Gilroy, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Luke Marshall, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip (c) 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Peter O'Mahony, 5 Donnacha Ryan, 4 Mike McCarthy, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 David Kilcoyne, 18 Stephen Archer, 19 Devin Toner, 20 Iain Henderson, 21 Paul Marshall, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Luke Fitzgerald.
Date: Saturday, March 16
Kick-off: 15:30 (14:30 GMT)
Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant referees: Romain Poite (France), Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Television match official: Jim Yuille (Scotland)
Comments
Irishzimbabwean says...
gleek - I think Rob Kearney also a definite. Donnacha Ryan will surely also go, but doubt very much on Simon Zebo. Hopefully Tommy Bowe can also be bracketed with Paul O'Connell as a maybe.
Posted 04:29 15th March 2013
Lucasrg says...
I understand the frustrated Irishmen, but I consider this a good team and somewhat superior then the Italian one...skill-wise. You shouldn't comply much about the selection imo. The problem is the mind set.
Head to head, the starting XV can cause Italy lots of troubles, the problem is more at the bench selection and again the mentality they will bring down to Rome.
Italy can only beat Ireland if they are inspired and don't freak out while phasing down into the Irish half. Ball in hand the Irish are superior...we'll see.
Posted 21:26 14th March 2013
JoseArtigas1 says...
I see that the vast majority of posters believe/hope Declan Kidney's contract will not be renewed. I doubt this will happen. Going on a lifetime of following sports it's clear that national (and international) sporting bodies are infuriatingly conservative and the IRFU are no different. They probably shouldn't renew Kidney's contract but they will, he'll be in charge until after RWC 2015 no matter how many angry posts there are on this or any other website.
Posted 19:19 14th March 2013
melkdave says...
As ive said before in other threads.I dont think D.Kidney will go before 2015,His lack of blooding the talant till now,means no other coach will touch the Ireland job.,as they would only have the 2014 games to develop a new squad and tatics.thats just 10-11 games ,not much is it really.
Posted 16:59 14th March 2013
gleek says...
If the IRFU are going to replace him it seems silly to give Kidney a great development tour as his last act. Bring in the new guy and leave he and his team start working in the summer.
It will probably mean paying salaries twice (why would Kidney stand down) for a couple of roles for a month or two but losing a summer tour of building would be huge for the new coach.
I can't see more than 7 Irish players going on the Lions tour - (Healy, Best, O'Connell (if he comes back strongly - captain of the midweek team and a bit of leadership in a young side), O'Brien, Sexton, O'Driscoll, Zebo) so the new coach would have a good core to work with.
Posted 16:39 14th March 2013
FISH says...
The editor says.... @FISH: Your comment had nothing to do with rugby. Consider this a warning.
Posted 16:33 14th March 2013
Greyprop says...
@ Fish
Yes just like the level of intellect to construct one of your posts.
Mediocre at best but generally drivel.
Posted 15:49 14th March 2013
Bren says...
ah, poor aul Kidders. sure he's only doing his best. I say give him another 4 years. Better the devil you know ;]
Posted 14:58 14th March 2013
Kid_Diablo says...
@papachinzo: i'm so sorry to tell you but kidney is contracted till after the summer tour. I doubt the irfu are going to pay him off for 2 matches and i doubt he's going to walk away from his last few pay days. i'm so sorry to be the bearer of such bad news.
Posted 14:45 14th March 2013
carpelone says...
Still, a good team. Let's hope that Italy will be able to keep the level and intensity of the last game, so that we can see a good match.
Posted 14:36 14th March 2013
rockman says...
Unfortunately the Irish rugby facebook has said he is now not available
Posted 14:23 14th March 2013
ciaran1792 says...
Yeah you will jinx it lol papachinzo. Just heard that Madigan was called up Sexton has torn a tendon in his foot and is out of the Italy game.
Posted 14:23 14th March 2013
FISH says...
you can change the coach, ireland will always be mediocre at best, and the rest of the time just plain suck
Posted 13:56 14th March 2013
marko72 says...
Yes, I hear Eddie O'Sullivan is available...
Posted 13:27 14th March 2013
Greyprop says...
@ papachinzo,
Ssshhh, please don't tempt fate.
Posted 13:15 14th March 2013
papachinzo says...
FINALLY, the last ever team selection by Declan Kidney. Bye bye!!!
Posted 13:01 14th March 2013