Kidney opts for tried and tested

CHANGING a successful formula has always been anathema to Declan Kidney, so it was with little or no surprise that Saturday’s starting XV against England will be the same as kicked off against France and Italy.

Apart from informing the country’s record caps holder, Malcolm O’Kelly, that he had been replaced on the bench by Mick O’Driscoll, Kidney’s call was as straightforward as these things can be.

The Irish coach said yesterday that leaving O’Kelly out of the 22 was a tough call, but said it was a reward for O’Driscoll’s recent endeavours.