Trimble and D’Arcy back as Kidney makes four changes

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has made four changes to his starting line-up for Saturday’s second test with New Zealand at AMI Stadium in Christchurch.

Andrew Trimble is recalled to the left wing in place of Munster winger Simon Zebo, who drops to the bench, while Fergus McFadden is retained on the right wing with Rob Kearney anchoring proceedings from full-back.

In the absence of the injured Keith Earls, Brian O’Driscoll moves out to his preferred position of outside centre, alongside long-term midfield partner Gordon D’Arcy, who did not feature in last weekend’s matchday squad.

Jonathan Sexton continues at fly-half and links up with Conor Murray at half-back, with the unlucky Eoin Reddan and Ronan O’Gara staying in the replacements.

Leinster props Cian Healy and Mike Ross have been passed fit to pack down either side of Rory Best while Dan Tuohy and Donnacha Ryan continue in the second row.

Kidney has selected Kevin McLaughlin in all-Leinster back row alongside Sean O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip with Peter O’Mahony dropping to the bench.

Kidney confirmed that Ross and Healy had both gone well in training and were expected to start against the All Blacks, while he also admitted Donncha O’Callaghan had pushed hard of a starting spot.

The Irish supremo and his troops have come in for some heavy criticism in the Kiwi press for their lacklustre display in the 42-10 hammering at Eden Park, but Kidney said he was not worried about the media attacks.

“I have heard bits and pieces about it,” said Kidney. “To be honest I’d be too busy concentrating on ourselves to actually have read of it.

“I know for a fact they’ll improve…they’ll improve 10-15 per cent and that’s why this is an even bigger challenge than last week.

“We just need to get a bit upset with ourselves and we’ll perform an awful lot better, and I know that we can.”