IRELAND COACH DECLAN KIDNEY has named an unchanged Ireland team for Sunday’s Six Nations clash against England.
Gordon D’Arcy [dead leg] was Ireland’s biggest injury concern earlier in the week but has recovered sufficiently to partner Brian O’Driscoll in the midfield for the 49th time.
The exciting trio of Rob Kearney, Craig Gilroy and Simon Zebo will again be charged with providing the attacking spark, while Conor Murray and Jonathan Sexton make up the half-back pairing.
Captain Jamie Heaslip has flankers Sean O’Brien and Peter O’Mahony, who overcame concussion fears, for company in the back row.
Up front, Cian Healy, a try scorer last weekend, and Mike Ross will flank hooker Rory Best. Donnacha Ryan and Mike McCarthy continue in the second row.
Earlier today, England coach Stuart Lancaster named his starting XV for Sunday’s clash at the Aviva Stadium.
There was only one change from the side that defeated Scotland last week, with James Haskell coming in for the injured Ben Morgan. Manu Tuilagi will start on the bench, with Billy Twelvetrees starting at inside centre.
Ireland: R Kearney; C Gilroy, B O’Driscoll, G D’Arcy, S Zebo; J Sexton, C Murray; C Healy, R Best, M Ross; M McCarthy, D Ryan; P O’Mahony, S O’Brien, J Heaslip (c).Replacements: D Kilcoyne, S Cronin, D Fitzpatrick, D O’Callaghan, C Henry, E Reddan, R O’Gara, K Earls.
*TheScore.ie will be live for Ireland v England from the Aviva Stadium from 2pm this Sunday.
