D'Arcy fit for Dublin duel

D'Arcy, Earls and O'Mahony declared fit

Ireland coach Declan Kidney announced an unchanged side on Friday to play England in Sunday's Six Nations international in Dublin.

Flank Peter O'Mahony, who suffered a head knock, and backs Gordon D'Arcy (dead leg) and Keith Earls (shoulder) were all passed fit after suffering injuries during Ireland's tournament-opening 30-22 win over Grand Slam champions Wales in Cardiff last weekend.

Sunday's match is already being billed as a potential title decider after England defeated Scotland 38-18 at Twickenham in the first round.

Earlier on Friday, England coach Stuart Lancaster made one change to his starting line-up, with James Haskell coming into a revamped back row after No.8 Ben Morgan was ruled out with an ankle injury.

Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Craig Gilroy, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip (captain), 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Peter O'Mahony, 5 Donnacha Ryan, 4 Mike McCarthy, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 David Kilcoyne, 18 Declan Fitzpatrick, 19 Donncha O'Callaghan, 20 Chris Henry, 21 Eoin Reddan, 22 Ronan O'Gara, 23 Keith Earls.

Date: Sunday, February 10
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Referee: Jérôme Garces (France)
Assistant referees: Nigel Owens (Wales), Pascal Gauzere (France)
TMO: Iain Ramage (Scotland)

AFP