Kidney puts faith in Murray

DECLAN KIDNEY has entrusted Conor Murray with steering Ireland to an opening World Cup win after giving the Munster scrum-half his first international start in Sunday’s Pool C clash with the United States.

Kidney last night named a strong team to face Eddie O’Sullivan’s Eagles with loosehead prop Cian Healy, back-rower Sean O’Brien and full-back Rob Kearney the only omissions on grounds of fitness. All should be available for selection for next weekend’s big game against Australia in Auckland but, in the meantime, Tom Court, Shane Jennings and Geordan Murphy respectively have been given chances to stake their claims with a start against the Americans.

Gordon D’Arcy did pass fit following a quicker than expected recovery from a calf strain that delayed his arrival in New Zealand by four days and, having completed a 35-hour journey only last Monday, he will form a tried and tested midfield partnership with captain Brian O’Driscoll.