And this week’s number 10 goes to… we still don’t know yet.
Nine days after the shocker in Murrayfield, Declan Kidney has named a slightly tweaked side for the visit of France on Saturday.
As is the norm these days, all the debate surrounded who would play at 10. All we knew for sure was that it wouldn’t be Ronan O’Gara. Now we know that it will be probably Paddy Jackson after Jonny Sexton was a late withdrawal.
Declan Kidney told the assembled press that he was advised that the Leinster out-half needed an extra week so Jackson, if he recovers in time from his own minor knock, will start. Kidney said he expected that to be the case.
As for the other changes, Fergus McFadden is in at 14, providing vital extra cover to Jackson on kicks, if required. Donnacha Ryan has recovered enough to play and aside from Cian Healy’s return from suspension, and Mike McCarthy’s return to the second row, the pack remains the same.
On the bench a space is left for the back-up out-half, probably Ian Madigan, while Stephen Archer and Michael Bent will be the replacements after Declan Fitzpatrick was declared unfit.
Ireland team v France: Kearney, McFadden, O’Driscoll, Marshall, Earls, AN Other, Murray, Healy, Best, Ross, McCarthy, Ryan, O’Mahony, O’Brien, Heaslip; Replacements: Cronin, Kilcoyne, AN Other, O’Callaghan, Henderson, Reddan, AN Other, Fitzgerald
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