Same XV for 'most physically challenging' game of Six Nations

Declan Kidney has kept faith with the starting XV he named to take on France in Paris two weeks ago, naming an unchanged team for the visit of Italy to the Aviva Stadium on Saturday (1.30pm).

Kidney has selected the same starting team for all three Six Nations games so far this season, but Saturday will be the first time they all play together in the tournament after the postponement of the French encounter and Keith Earls’ withdrawal from the opening game against Wales.

A fine kicking display against Treviso last weekend wasn’t enough for Ronan O’Gara to displace Jonathan Sexton as starting flyhalf while Donncha O’Callaghan continues to start in second row confining Donnacha Ryan to a place on the bench.

Despite naming an unchanged side Kidney insisted the management staff were treating every game individually and believed this was the best team to take on the Azzurri.

Captain Paul O’Connell knows that a big game is needed on Saturday to kick-start Ireland’s four in a row run-in and expects a bruising encounter.

“Four games in a row now, some guys like that others aren’t pushed but it is what it is and guys have just gotten on with it,” the lock remarked.

“Italy are a very tough physical side. I’m sure there’ll be a lot of sore bodies after the game on Saturday so that’s not ideal but we just have to get on with it.

“Italy are always the most physically challenging in the tournament. They have an excellent maul, an excellent scrum and they are excellent around the fringes. It’s going to be a tough game on the bodies this weekend."

Ireland (v Italy): 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.