RONAN O’GARA AND Conor Murray are likely to be given the nod for Ireland’s game against Italy on Sunday, according to reports.
There has been widespread debate over who should be Ireland’s starting out-half, with 61% of rugby fans saying O’Gara should start ahead of Jonny Sexton in a recent TheScore.ie poll.
Murray will also be seen as somewhat of a surprise selection, given that Declan Kidney opted to start Eoin Reddan for Ireland’s crucial encounter with Australia.
Meanwhile, Paul O’Connell is the only major fitness concern after picking up a hamstring injury in the Australia match, with Leo Cullen set to start should O’Connell fail to regain his fitness in time for the game.
Their opponents, Italy, have never reached the World Cup quarter finals and last beat Ireland in December 1997.