Regular winger Keith Earls has been picked to replace Brian O’Driscoll in the Ireland midfield for the Six Nations opener against Wales at Lansdowne Road.
Captain and centre O’Driscoll will miss the entire tournament while he rehabs from shoulder and neck surgery on a trapped nerve.
Earls was chosen on Wednesday ahead of Tommy Bowe, Fergus McFadden and Andrew Trimble at centre because he’s played there recently for Munster, and impressed coach Declan Kidney.
“All players can adapt,” Kidney said. “He’s played a lot in the position and is comfortable there. Keith has been playing very strongly in the Heineken Cup.”
But while four of Earls’ 26 caps have been at centre, none have been in a match as competitive as this Sunday’s.
To Earls’ comfort, Ireland features only three changes, one positional, to the team that was dumped out of the World Cup quarter-finals by Wales 22-10 last October.
The pack with skipper Paul O’Connell was unchanged, while Conor Murray and Jonathan Sexton were the preferred halves, and Trimble was on the left wing.
The only uncapped player was Munster backrower Peter O’Mahony in the reserves.
Ireland: Rob Kearney, Tommy Bowe, Keith Earls, Gordon D’Arcy, Andrew Trimble, Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray; Jamie Heaslip, Sean O’Brien, Stephen Ferris, Paul O’Connell (captain), Donncha O’Callaghan, Mike Ross, Rory Best, Cian Healy. Reserves: Sean Cronin, Tom Court, Donnacha Ryan, Peter O’Mahony, Eoin Reddan, Ronan O’Gara, Fergus McFadden.
Ben S
Roar Guru
You've come out with a big statement (in a canter) for a side that is regarded as having a very erratic (read dysfunctional) attack. Btw, Wales scored 2nd half tries against SA, Samoa, Ireland (x2), Australia and Australia. In those 5 Tests they only managed one score in the first half. I really don't know where this hype about Wales is coming from? They were terrible in the previous 6N, and only looked better when Priestland started. When he disappeared they went back to their bad old ways again. Australia dished them up at the Millenium recently too.
Jack
Guest
IMO, Wales are horribly overated.
King of the Gorgonites
Roar Guru
the can only score them in the 2nd half against WEAK oppostion. they still cant score enough tries against quality teams in any half/ Conceding only one or two tries against Wales would still be good defence IMO. The Welsh scored that against the Wallabies recently. What that score line will show is that Irelands illdiscpline and inability to cross the line will cost them this game. Look i may be wrong, but we will see.
Derm
Roar Guru
So Ireland need to score tries in the first half, but they can only score them in the second half, and Wales won't let them score in the second half, and they'll give away 5-6 kickable penalties and concede 1-2 tries. So that's 22- 32 points for Wales to Ireland's 6. I wouldn't regard such a scoreline as evidence of a good defence. At least Les Kiss won't if that's what happens. If you're celebrating Wales victory in Wellington once again on Monday at 4am, KOTG, have a beer on me. :)
King of the Gorgonites
Roar Guru
Yes Wales will kick lots pf penalities. Ireland like to push the limit at the breakdown. I have a feeling the refs are really going to crack down this first weekend. that will hurt ireland. I am estimating between 5-6 pentalites. 1-2 tries. both converted. Irealdn will kick 2 penalties. no tries. Yes 3 ries against the USA. in the 40th, 56th, and 62nd mintues. 3 tries against Italy - 47, 52, 80. Ireland struggled to score against these teams. when they did, it was predominatly in the 2nd half. Wales will not weaken in the 2nd half like the above teams. ireland attack will simply be to pedestrian in their opening game. i expect them to improve as the 6N develops. I was fornuate to be in Wellington for Wales glorious victory in the quarter final. I expect to be celebrating like that once again.
Ben Farrell
Guest
England by 9. France by 15 Ireland by 3.
Derm
Roar Guru
"Good defence but Wales in a canter" Does this mean Wales will kick lots of penalties? "...They need to score tires. They couldnt do it at the RWC..." They scored a try in the Wales match, beat Italy 3 tries to zip, put 9 tries past Russia and 3 past USA. Ireland missing BOD. Wales missing Rees, Jenkins, Burns, Charteris and Wyn Jones with doubts over Roberts, Priestland and Lydiate (although I expect one or more of these doubts to "recover" with Gatland's usual mind games.
Ben S
Roar Guru
I'll take those odds all day long. As soon as Priestland limped off for Wales their attack was absolutely non-existent beyond giving Jamie Roberts the ball, much as it was before Priestland was given a fortuitous cap in the WC warm-up game against England.
King of the Gorgonites
Roar Guru
Strong backrow. good defence thanks to Les Kiss, but they need to score tires. they couldnt do it at the RWC and i dont see them donig against Wales. Wales in a canter.