Earls to partner D'Arcy in centre against Wales

Keith Earls has been given the vote of confidence from Declan Kidney to fill Brian O’Driscoll’s number 13 jersey for Ireland’s opening RBS Six Nations game against Wales in the Aviva Stadium this Sunday (3pm).

Earl’s selection means Andrew Trimble claims a hard-earned starting position on the wing having impressed at the World Cup and for Ulster this season while Fergus McFadden must settle for a spot on the bench.

Conor Murray will link up with Jonathan Sexton at half back with experienced duo Eoin Reddan and Ronan O’Gara named amongst the replacements.

Rob Kearney, Tommy Bowe and Gordon D’Arcy complete the backline.

The pack is unchanged from the side which lost out to Wales in the World Cup quarter-final with Donncha O’Callaghan seeing off competition from Donnahca Ryan to retain his spot alongside Paul O’Connell in the second row.

Munster’s Peter O’Mahony is the only uncapped player named in the match day squad.

Ireland (v Wales): R Kearney; T Bowe, K Earls, G D’Arcy, A Trimble; J Sexton, C Murray; C Healy, R Best, M Ross; D O’Callaghan, P O’Connell (c); S Ferris, S O’Brien, J Heaslip.

Replacements: S Cronin, T Court, D Ryan, P O’Mahony, E Reddan, R O’Gara, F McFadden.