sure why not Gilroy and Zebo were risks also and he deserves his run out.

good move as O’Gara not in form even if I think Madigan is the form 10 & a better kicker but here’s hoping for a strong debut

Is there nothing to be said for Ireland’s fit-and-form 10, Ian Madigan?!

Excellent , rog can have a coffee on the bench and come on if required.

If Jackson keeps his head and brings his kicking boots ( he left them at home in two Ulster games lately) it be a great call otherwise could be a Irish nightmare
Either way its not the kidney were used to

Taking the question in isolation, I think Paddy Jackson deserves his chance. So too does Madigan, but clearly the selectors have Jackson above Madigan in the pecking order right now, whether we agree with it or not.

I’m all for having experienced warhorses on the bench, but not to start. If the occasion gets to Jackson, we have experience available on the bench. Starting Jackson with Madigan on the bench would be a bridge too far for Kidney, I think.

Overall, if Jackson is named and Deccie doesn’t play people outside their best position (e.g. Earls at centre) then I’ll be happy enough.

If our pack can get fired up, they should easily beat up the scots up front and with that platform we should still see our backs come out on top. The Scottish 3/4s and full back are a threat, which is precisely why I’d like to see us make use of a playmaking outhalf

Delighted to see kidney is beginning to see ROG, for all his past glories, is now not the rugby player he was. I’d still go with Madigan if we were picking on form especially due to Jackson’s poor kicking in recent times and Madigan is excellent with ball in hand. With that in mind I’d like to see McFadden picked on the wing as he is a very accurate kicker and could take some of the pressure off Jackson if things go awry for him off the tee. Overall I’m a lot more excited about the Scotland match if we do get to see a new 10 pulling the strings.

Ian Madigan must be pulling his hair out, no justice for him there. Heaslip is in terrible form, Coughlan is consistency personified. Toner on the bench??? Why?? He’s chronic.
Jackson is overrated bit worth a punt, hope it works out though. Looking forward to seeing Marshall get a run out.

On current stats leaving aside sexton madigan is the form player, OGara time for Ireland is over, after that take your pick-keatley or Jackson. All the changes on the Irish team are forced changes would kidney have these players in otherwise I don’t think so. Now is the time to pick young players 2 years to World Cup, England have completely changed since the last World Cup we should start now.

Great move. O’gara was off against Scarlett’s on the weekend and seems to have lost his mojo. My vote would be to have Luke Marshall at 12 also.
I would also put Luke Fitzgerald on the wing in place of Zebo. Scotland will not be easy and it could go either way.

I still find it hard not to see Madigan starting. This is a squad in which we don’t have an inform place kicker which in this day and age is just crazy! Also would like to see David McSharry get a look in on the bench. Still not at all convinced about Heaslip as Captain. Fingers crossed for Sunday though! It’s not going to be a walk in the park!!

I would have Madigan on bench incase Paddy explodes.

No because it should be Madigan.

Keatley should be in the squad in place of ROG

Big pressure on Jackson but it is a forced opportunity as Marshall is the right choice at 12 and they interact well together. Tactically starting O’Gara and putting on any of the outhalfs into the second half would have been stupid especially as O’Driscol fades and there are doubts over the fitness of the other leaders on the field Ryan & Best.
If Jackson doesn’t play well O’Gara will come on and give consistency, it was the very same when sexton came onto the scene if he played poorly O’Gara came on to steady the ship. ROG may not be at his peak but experience counts for a lot at 10.
None of the Irish outhalfs were good under pressure early in there career, some possible still aren’t, but there is only one way to know and Jackson has more potential at 10 than madigan or keatley.
Madigan has 0 caps and Keatley has 2 from friendlies 2009 so it’s not like they are experienced at this level they also have 2 and 4 years on Jackson respectively.

Where’s the poll?

Good call, Jackson is the future. Would put Marshall at 13 though!

I will agree that Paddy Jackson will turn out to a fab rugby player in the future and yes he needs experience but for Declan Kidney to put O’Gara on the bench is the wrong tactical decision ..