Ireland unchanged for triple-crown bid

Pa
Tuesday 16 March 2010 16:06 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Ireland have named an unchanged side for a second successive week as they close in on their fifth Triple Crown in seven seasons.

Head coach Declan Kidney has opted against adjusting his 22 for Saturday's RBS 6 Nations clash with Scotland in what will be the team's Croke Park farewell.

Gordon D'Arcy is retained at inside centre pending a fitness test on the heavy bruising above his left knee sustained during the weekend's victory over Wales.

If D'Arcy fails to recover in time, Paddy Wallace will be promoted from outside the squad to the vacant number 12 jersey.

D'Arcy's selection enables Geordan Murphy to continue at full-back with Rob Kearney having to settle for a place among the substitutes once again.

Winger Keith Earls, who scored two tries against the Welsh, and flanker David Wallace are included despite sustaining calf and eye problems on Saturday.

Loosehead prop Cian Healy has also been given the green light after overcoming a bruised shoulder.

Ireland are heavy favourites to complete the Triple Crown but retain little hope of successfully defending their title.

They need England to wreck France's Grand Slam party in Paris on Saturday while hoping that both themselves and Martin Johnson's side make heavy inroads into the Les Bleus' vastly superior points difference of plus 50.

Scotland, meanwhile, are battling to avoid the wooden spoon as defeat in the final rugby international to be played at Croke Park would leave them bottom of the table.

Ireland team to play Scotland in the RBS 6 Nations Championship at Croke Park on Saturday, March 20 (kick-off at 5pm):

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

Replacements: S Cronin (Connacht), T Buckley (Munster), L Cullen (Leinster), S Jennings (Leinster), E Reddan (Leinster), R O'Gara (Munster), R Kearney (Leinster).

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in