Kidney makes 10 changes for return France tie

Brian O’Driscoll will lead Ireland in Saturday’s clash with France at the Aviva Stadium.

Wed, 17 Aug, 2011 - 14:00

Brian O’Driscoll will lead Ireland in Saturday’s clash with France at the Aviva Stadium.

O’Driscoll will make his first appearance of the summer after recovering from the neck/shoulder injury that forced him to sit out the defeats to Scotland and France.

The 32-year-old lines up at outside centre in what is virtually Ireland’s strongest XV.

“It’s great to be back. It’s always difficult sitting out any Test matches. I’m looking forward to the weekend,” he said.

Gordon D'Arcy joins O'Driscoll in the midfield after completing his recovery from ankle surgery.

With Rob Kearney ruled out for one week because of a groin strain, Felix Jones makes his first start at full-back.

Andrew Trimble, who has impressed over the last two weekends, retains his place on the right wing with Keith Earls taking the number 11 jersey.

What appears to be coach Declan Kidney’s first choice half-pack pairing of Jonathan Sexton and Tomas O’Leary have been recalled after sitting out the 19-12 defeat by France last Saturday.

In the pack, openside David Wallace makes his first appearance of the summer.

Paul O’Connell and Jamie Heaslip will start after coming off the bench in Bordeaux, while the front row of Cian Healy, Rory Best and Mike Ross is given another run out.

Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris makes a welcome return to the bench after winning his lengthy battle with a knee problem.

“Hopefully Stephen will get a run out. He’s been going well in training, but we won’t push anyone too soon,” said Kidney.

Ireland Team & Replacements (v France, Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Saturday, August 20th, kick-off 5pm):

15 - Felix Jones (Shannon/ Munster)

14 - Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)

13 - Brian O’Driscoll (UCD/Leinster) Captain

12 - Gordon D’Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)

11 - Keith Earls (Thomond/Munster)

10 - Jonathan Sexton (St.Mary’s College/Leinster)

9 - Tomas O’Leary (Dolphin/Munster)

1 - Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)

2 - Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)

3 - Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)

4 - Donncha O’Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster)

5 - Paul O’Connell (Young Munster/Munster)

6 - Sean O’Brien (Clontarf/Leinster)

7 - David Wallace (Garryowen/Munster)

8 - Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster)

Replacements:

16 - Jerry Flannery (Shannon/ Munster)

17 - Tom Court (Malone/Ulster)

18 - Mike McCarthy (Buccaneers/Connacht)

19 - Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster)

20 - Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)

21 - Ronan O’Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster)

22 - Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/ Leinster)

In what is a busy week for the Ireland squad, an Ireland Select XV will also take on Connacht tomorrow evening in Donnybrook Stadium.

Several players who were involved in the test match against France last week get another chance to play.

Leo Cullen will captain the side and will be partnered in the second row by Mick O’Driscoll, with Tony Buckley, Sean Cronin, John Hayes completing the front five. Shane Jennings will have his first outing of August after returning from a broken arm alongside Kevin McLaughlin and Denis Leamy in the back row.

Isaac Boss and Paddy Wallace will make up the half back partnership with Fergus McFadden, Johne Murphy and Geordan Murphy in the back three.

Ireland Select XV Team & Replacements (v Connacht, Donnybrook Stadium, Dublin, Thursday, August 18th, kick-off 6.30pm):

15 - Geordan Murphy (Leicester)

14 - Johne Murphy (Munster)

13 - Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)

12 - Ian Keatley (Munster)

11 - Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)

10 - Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster)

9 - Isaac Boss (Terenure College/Leinster)

1 - Tony Buckley (Sale)

2 - Sean Cronin (Leinster)

3 - John Hayes (Bruff/Munster)