Kearney gets chance to impress
With Shane Horgan struggling because of a knee injury — he starts Ireland A’s game against England Saxons next Friday — Kearney could go straight into the XV for Italy.
Geordan Murphy will also compete for the number 14 jersey while the only other position in doubt is scrum-half, where coach Eddie O’Sullivan must choose between Peter Stringer and Eoin Reddan.
Wasps half-back Reddan is included despite suffering a tight thigh in last Saturday’s 19-3 defeat by Munster, forcing him to miss today’s Guinness Premiership trip to Gloucester.
Mick O’Driscoll edges Leo Cullen to take the third second row berth with Donncha O’Callaghan and Malcolm O’Kelly the likely starters.
O’Sullivan said yesterday: “The match 22 selection for the Italy game was made on the basis of form. While the response of all of the squad over the last week has been excellent, there were some tight calls to be made. This will be even harder to do next week when we decide the final selection for the game.”
O’Sullivan may make up to five changes from the starting line up in the ill-fated World Cup pool match against Argentina a few short months ago.
“It’s not rocket science to see where it went wrong at the World Cup,” he said. “We didn’t play enough rugby in the build-up to the tournament and we were in a difficult group which we struggled to get out of.
“But we didn’t become a bad rugby team overnight. The Six Nations is an opportunity to prove that.”
Rory Best will vie with Bernard Jackman for the hooker slot after suspension short-circuited Jerry Flannery’s Six Nations ambitions.
Malcolm O’Kelly is the likely replacement for the injured Paul O’Connell, although that’s not cast in stone with Mick O’Driscoll in such fine form for Munster.
Tony Buckley’s meteoric rise continues with the Munster prop included as cover for the evergreen John Hayes, who is expected to win his 80th cap against Italy next Saturday.
It’s only a matter of time, but it could be some time, before Jamie Heaslip breaks into this Irish team too. While Denis Leamy and David Wallace won’t budge, Heaslip may target Simon Easterby’s jersey.
Meanwhile captain Brian O’Driscoll admitted last night that the absence of Flannery was a blow Ireland could have done without.
“You tread a really a fine line in sport at this level – what’s sometimes perceived to be dangerous play could be ‘play on’ if it’s another inch or two away. There are certain instances you can point your finger at, but Jerry adamantly denied that there was any intent, but people saw that differently.
“I suppose the fact that Julien Bonnaire got cut, and the close proximity of the ball, probably didn’t help Jerry’s case. They’re trying to cut out any foul play in rugby and to encourage youngsters to play the game, and I suppose things like that don’t help the image. Sometimes you just have to accept the ruling, but on another day it could have been a very different ruling.”
O’Driscoll pointed out that Ireland have strength in depth in the hooker position.
“We’re very fortunate to have three hookers who are in great form this season. Bernard (Jackman) is no spring chicken and he’s had his critics over the years, but he’s put in a big season and I hope now he can take his opportunity when it arises.”
Forwards (12): R Best (Ulster); T Buckley (Munster); S Easterby (Llanelli); J Hayes (Munster); J Heaslip (Leinster); M Horan (Munster); B Jackman (Leinster); D Leamy (Munster); D O’Callaghan (Munster); M O’Driscoll (Munster); M O’Kelly (Leinster); D Wallace (Munster).
Backs (10): G Dempsey (Leinster); G D’Arcy (Leinster); R Kearney (Leinster); G Murphy (Leicester); B O’Driscoll (Leinster); R O’Gara (Munster); E Reddan (Wasps); P Stringer (Munster); A Trimble (Ulster); P Wallace (Ulster).
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