Leamy: time to bury World Cup debacle

DENIS LEAMY will steer the Ireland pack from his regular No 8 slot against Italy at Croke Park tomorrow, even though his mid-season revival in the wake of a forgettable Rugby World Cup campaign came courtesy of a switch to blindside flanker with Munster in early December.

The make-up of the back row ahead of Tuesday’s team announcement was the subject of much debate. Jamie Heaslip seemed set for a Six Nations debut at eight with Leamy then able to translate his provincial form to the national side at six. But the anticipated restructuring never manifested itself.

Instead, Eddie O’Sullivan has put his trust in the old guard with Simon Easterby, David Wallace and Leamy manning the back-row positions again, while Heaslip must bide his time on the replacements bench.