Paul O’Connell will lead Ireland out on Sunday against Wales as Ireland seek revenge over Wales for their controversial victory in last year’s tournament and the loss in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals.
Gordon D’Arcy surprisingly continues in the inside centre berth, partnered by Keith Earls, with the highly rated Fergus McFadden on the bench. Peter O’Mahony could win a first cap off the bench, whilst the youthful pairing of Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton continue at half-back.
15. Rob Kearney, 14. Tommy Bowe, 13. Fergus McFadden, 12. Gordon D’Arcy, 11. Andrew Trimble, 10. Johnny Sexton, 9. Conor Murray, 1. Cian Healy, 2. Rory Best, 3. Mike Ross, 4. Donnacha O’Callaghan, 5. Paul O’Connell (c), 6. Stephen Ferris, 7. Sean O’Brien, 8. Jamie Heaslip
16. Sean Cronin, 17. Tom Court, 18. Donnacha Ryan, 19. Peter O’Mahony, 20. Eoin Reddan, 21. Ronan O’Gara, 22. TBC
UPDATE: Keith Earls has withdrawn after his new-born daughter was taken ill. We wish her a speedy recovery!
lets all get behind the team no matter who was picked we all wouldnt agree, in saying that i would have ryan on instead of doc,bowe at 13 with mc fadden at 12 and earls on the wing but no matter who dk picks for any game ill be roaring the boys on
‘….controversial victory…’?
Definitely not! The Welsh beat us fair and square.
And as Gerry Thornley says in the Irish Times today, we’re looking to get even, not revenge.
Shit, Just remembered the six nations game. It was controversial! Apologies, what a crap memory i have!
either way, from an Irish perspective, the Welsh game is always the one i most look forward to.
Maybe Kidney is trying to exorcise some demons with that selection. I’d prefer he stuck to logic and pick an in-form team please… Hope he knows what he’s doing. I can’t help thinking that club rugby is more entertaining than international these days. Leinster are better managed and coached than Ireland imo.
This is a truly exciting game which I am looking forward to along with the majority of Wales. I’m sorry to say that Ireland may struggle with the passion and strength from all quarters from the Welsh. O’Driscoll is such a loss, even with the old heads in the pack; there will be uncertainty and the un-known in the backs which will be Irelands downfall. Bowe will be crucial, Earls may as well sit in the house and watch the game on the tv. Ireland have far better than him in the clubs. Get the pixies and the good luck charms out Ireland: you’re going to need them!
Can’t fault your chirpy pro-Welshness, but Wales arrive in Dublin with a rag-bag selection, missing 80% of their first choice front 5, doubts now over Lydiate, injury doubts over their star centre as well the man who made them tick from 10 in the RWC and the inspiration of the diminutive Williams lost to the ravages of time. And it’s Ireland who need the good luck charms?
Can’t see Ireland losing.