There were few surprises in the Ireland team named to play Wales this weekend, with the omission of Keith Earls possibly the only controversial call made by Declan Kidney.
Kidney has opted for Craig Gilroy and Simon Zebo on the wings for the meeting with the Grand Slam champions and the prospect of having to stop Wales’ man-mountain wingers will be far more frightening than what turned out to be a facile victory over Argentina in Ireland’s last encounter in November.
Elsewhere, Peter O’Mahony held off the challenge of Chris Henry and will line-up alongside Sean O’Brien and captain Jamie Heaslip in the back row, while Brian O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy renew their partnership in the centre.
Ireland take on Wales in the Millennium Stadium on Saturday at 1.30pm.
Ireland team to play Wales: Rob Kearney; Craig Gilroy, Brian O’Driscoll, Gordon D’Arcy, Simon Zebo; Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray; Cian Healy, Rory Best, Mike Ross; Mike McCarthy, Donnacha Ryan; Peter O’Mahony, Sean O’Brien, Jamie Heaslip (Captain).
Replacements: Sean Cronin, Dave Kilcoyne, Declan Fitzpatrick, Donncha O’Callaghan, Chris Henry, Eoin Reddan, Ronan O’Gara, Keith Earls.
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