Kidney sees no need to tinker

by Oli Skehan , 09 March 2010

The fit-again Rob Kearney will have to content himself with a place on the bench for Ireland's RBS Six Nations clash with Wales at Croke Park on Saturday.


Declan Kidney has seen no need to tinker with the starting XV that took to the field against England at Twickenham and as a result Leicester's Geordan Murphy retains his place at full-back.

Kearney has been named among the replacements where he comes in for Ulster utility back Andrew Trimble, who drops out of the 22.

Elsewhere in the backline, Leinster's Jonathan Sexton retains his place at out-half ahead of Munster's Ronan O'Gara while O'Gara's clubmate Tomas O'Leary also continues his run in the first team after an improved performance against England.

Saturday will see Leinster centre Brian O'Driscoll earn his 100th cap for Ireland and he will line out alongside Gordon D'Arcy in midfield with Keith Earls and Tommy Bowe continuing on the wings.

Up front the pack is also unchanged from the England match with John Hayes holding on to his place in the front row despite being substituted against Martin Johnson's side last time out when winning his 100th cap.

Ireland: G Murphy; T Bowe, B O'Driscoll (capt), G D'Arcy, K Earls; J Sexton, T O'Leary; C Healy, R Best, J Hayes, D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell, S Ferris, D Wallace, J Heaslip.

Replacements: S Cronin, T Buckley, L Cullen, S Jennings, E Reddan, R O'Gara, R Kearney.

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