Ireland stick to the winning formula
Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:19
Gordon D'Arcy will face a late fitness test
Ireland coach Declan Kidney named an unchanged side for Saturday's Six Nations clash against Scotland at Croke Park.
The only fitness doubt was over centre Gordon D'Arcy, who went off with a dead leg early in last weekend's 27-12 win at home to Wales.
D'Arcy was included in the starting XV as he continues to recover from the deep bruising to his leg. He will be monitored in training and a final decision on his availability made on Friday.
Ireland, last season's Grand Slam champions, still have an outside chance of retaining their title on Saturday despite a 33-10 thrashing by unbeaten tournament leaders France in Paris last month.
Victory over Scotland, who haven't won a match in this season's Six Nations although they drew 15-15 at home to England last weekend, would see Ireland secure a fifth Triple Crown in seven years.
It would also assure Ireland of a second-place finish at worst in what will be their final match at Croke Park before they return to their rebuilt Dublin home of Lansdowne Road.
Ireland: 15 Geordan Murphy, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Brian O'Driscoll (captain), 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Tomas O'Leary, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 David Wallace, 6 Stephen Ferris, 5 Paul O'Connell, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 John Hayes, 2 Rory Best, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Tony Buckley, 18 Leo Cullen, 19 Shane Jennings, 20 Eoin Reddan, 21 Ronan O'Gara, 22 Robert Kearney.
Date: Saturday, March 20
Venue: Croke Park
Kick-off: 17:00 GMT
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Craig Joubert (South Africa), Jérôme Garces (France)
Television match official: Giulio De Santis (Italy)
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