Kidney sticks with winning formula

Declan Kidney has stuck with the same team to face Italy that beat France last Saturday in the first game of the 2009 Six Nations campaign today.

Ulster's Paddy Wallace keeps his place in the centre alongside captain Brian O'Driscoll, while strong performances from Tommy Bowe and Luke Fitzgerald on the wings and Rob Kearney at full back have ensured they keep their places.

John Hayes will earn his 91st cap, equalling the record of Leinster's Malcolm O Kelly, while O'Driscoll wins his 90th cap.

Kidney said the competition for places is good and that everyone is bringing a positive attitude to training.

Ireland team to play Italy in the RBS 6 Nations at the Stadio Flaminio on Sunday February 15, kick-off 2.30pm:

R Kearney (Leinster); T Bowe (Ospreys), B O’Driscoll (Leinster, captain), P Wallace (Ulster), L Fitzgerald (Leinster); R O’Gara (Munster), T O’Leary (Munster); M Horan (Munster), J Flannery (Munster), J Hayes (Munster), D O’Callaghan (Munster), P O’Connell (Munster), S Ferris (Ulster), D Wallace (Munster), J Heaslip (Leinster).

Replacements: R Best (Ulster), T Court (Ulster), M O’Kelly (Leinster), D Leamy (Munster), P Stringer (Munster), G D’Arcy (Leinster), G Murphy (Leicester).