IRELAND RUGBY COACH Declan Kidney has named an unchanged side for this Saturday’s crunch Rugby World Cup tie against Wales in Wellington.
Rory Best, the major injury doubt ahead of Ireland’s first quarter-final in eight years, is included in the side although he continues to receive treatment on his right shoulder, which continues to be a concern.
If Best cannot make it, Sean Cronin will be promoted from the replacements bench, to be replaced by Damien Varley – who was only called up to the squad to replace his injured Munster teammate Jerry Flannery.
Kidney warned that he was naming the team largely because of procedural requirements, but that the decision about naming Best “could go right to the end”.
“We’ll make it when we have to make it,” Kidney said. “I wouldn’t want to tempt fate by rating his chances.”
In the half-back line, Ronan O’Gara retains his number 10 shirt, preferred to Jonathan Sexton after his strong performance against the Italians, while Conor Murray is kept at scrum-half.
Brian O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy reprise their partnership in the centre, with Tommy Bowe and Keith Earls – both of whom looked potent last week – returning to the wings, ahead of Rob Kearney at full-back.
With Best provisionally included at hooker, the front row – also featuring Cian Healy, who turns 24 on Friday, and Mike Ross – remains unchanged; Paul O’Connell and Donncha O’Callaghan return in the second row, while Stephen Ferris and Sean O’Brien reform a fierce back row either side of Jamie Heaslip.
The match, which kicks off at 6am Irish time, will be broadcast live on RTÉ Two, and TheScore.ie will have its customary live blog.
Ireland (v Wales, Wellington, Saturday 6am)
Rob Kearney; Tommy Bowe, Brian O’Driscoll (capt), Gordon D’Arcy, Keith Earls; Ronan O’Gara, Conor Murray; Cian Healy, Rory Best, Mike Ross; Donncha O’Callaghan, Paul O’Connell; Stephen Ferris, Sean O’Brien, Jamie Heaslip.
Replacements: Sean Cronin/Damien Varley, Tom Court, Donnacha Ryan, Denis Leamy, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton, Andrew Trimble.
Be afraid Wales…
Best is vital, if we don’t win our own lineouts, we won’t win the match and his darts of late have been nothing less than awesome
Yet again Andrew Trimble doesn’t get a look in…
Realistically who do you drop? Bowe had a great game last week, Earls got the tries, D’Arcy was immense, Kearney played one of his best games ever in an Irish shirt and BOD is BOD. Trimble is unlucky but 6 into 5 just doesn’t go. Someone has to miss out.
100% agree with u Mike. Trimble must be feeling kinda demoralised at this stage, though he won’t show it. Although Darcy had a decent (not immense) game on Sun, I think TrImble should replace him. Last week, numerous ppl on the journal said Darcy was very lucky to be selected against Italy. For me at least, that is still the case.
No surprise in that squad announcement – they all gave 100% last weekend and confidence is high. I hope Best is still in good enough shape to play as he’ll be sorely missed. Have to admit I’m nervous about this match and O’Gara gives the performance we all know he has and rewards Kidneys faith in him. Come on Ireland!!!!!!
wales is playing good stuff, but Ireland is playing Great stuff, and olaying with heart. It will be a case of who has the best backs??????????????? Ireland i hope……………………Come on lads…
You can’t drop anyone who played last week – Its either Earls or Trimble, as Kidney is not gonna mess with the midfield axis – Earls has scored four tries in 2 games – Trimble hasn’t a finishing rate to compare with that (1 try in 20 tests). There’s lots of tough calls for Kidney – murray/ogara or reddan/sexton. If flannery and wallace were fit, there would be even more tough calls. So far he has called them right, worried bout O’Gara without Wallace to protect his channel, O’Brien isn’t a typical 7 in terms of his defensive positioning – he’s playing out of his skin, out of position but he is needed to protect 10/12 channel.
Darcy’s made the first two tries almost by himself. The first he smashed his way 10 yards over the gain line creatig the gap for Bowe and his line break of 30 yards made the second for earls. He defended everything that came his way. Trimble is in a shoot out with earls.
As for best the lineouts won’t be as important this week as Wales will kick very little ball and they also don’t give away too many penalties. If best is out it won’t be as bad playing Wales