Ireland have included Ulster duo Chris Henry and Luke Marshall in their 29-man squad ahead of Sunday's clash with Scotland at Murrayfield.
Henry is included despite suffering a knee injury in Ulster's RaboDirect PRO12 win at home to Zebre. He will undergo a scan on Monday.
His team-mate Marshall suffered bruising to his thighs during the same game, but the injury was not enough to rule him out of inclusion in an Ireland Six Nations squad for the first time.
The back, who scored for the Ireland XV against Fiji in November, was unavailable for the opening weeks of the Championship with a finger injury.
In addition to Marshall, back-rower James Coughlan and second-rows Lewis Stevenson and Devin Toner come into the Irish squad as extra cover, after being involved in the early preparations for the Championship.
The panel could have extra players added to it after further medical reports and the final squad will assemble in Carton House in Maynooth on Monday.
Ireland squad: Rory Best, Darren Cave, Tom Court, Sean Cronin, James Coughlan, Keith Earls, Luke Fitzgerald, Declan Fitzpatrick, Craig Gilroy, Robbie Henshaw, Jamie Heaslip, Iain Henderson, Chris Henry, Paddy Jackson, Rob Kearney, David Kilcoyne, Luke Marshall, Fergus McFadden, Conor Murray, Sean O'Brien, Donncha O'Callaghan, Brian O'Driscoll, Ronan O'Gara, Peter O'Mahony, Eoin Reddan, Mike Ross, Donnacha Ryan, Lewis Stevenson, Devin Toner.
Comments
Feergmeister says...
Declan,whatever vendetta you have against Ian Madigan,might you put it aside now that you're bollixed for a 10...I like Paddy Jack, but just acknowledge the all round ability of Madigan despite your clear dislike for him...Rog on the bench? He will be happy with a break - and a straight talking coach who tells him what's really required from an international 10!
Posted 00:21 20th February 2013
BiggyFint says...
Ahh here what the hell was the point in having McSharry in the squad and then drop him when we need a 12. Only one 12 in the squad in L Marshall and he came of injured in the last game. Theres no point even saying Kidney is a joke at this point its too depressing. We'd nearly be better off having a poor 6N. Kidney gets fired and then we can move on and build towards the next WC.
Posted 18:12 18th February 2013
papachinzo says...
A lot of people are solely blaming Kidney for the current state of the Irish Rugby team. But at this point in time, and with past history taken into account, I think the whole IRFU board needs to be looked at.
They Fired Gatland for O'Sullivan and then replaced him, after an age of poor performances, with Kidney, who received a contract extension during troubled times - BEFORE the World Cup... what kind of board does that ?!!
This chap thinks Earls is a Centre for god sake !!
I have always wondered what that golden generation of players could have achieved under a good coach and a positive, pro-active board of management...
Posted 16:31 18th February 2013
99call says...
Lets be honest the one thing that is coming out of all the injuries and suspensions is that we as a nation are in for a tough couple of years in terms of international rugby.
We have a few top players coming to the end of their careers and no real replacements coming through and some very good current players but no potential replacements pushing them for their spots.
There are some good young prospects in the provinces but their obviously not holding their hands up yet to be taken seriously as current internationals, we have 3 young 10s in Jackson, Keatley and Madigan and taking provincial bias aside does anyone actually think theyre ready for 6n rugby, personnaly I would have to say no but I do believe they will be in a couple of years so that leaves Sexton with no pressure for his place and ROG as the backup
Lets look at the centres, whos starting in each province it Darc/Bod, Wallace/Cave, Downey/ Laulala with a couple of young lads in Marshall and McSharry in the back ground and then we're into the realms of wingers trying to play centre in Earls and McFadden which we all know theyre not capable of.
So whats our 12/13 combo going to be going into the RWC in 2015 the one things for sure you can take Downey, Darc, Bod and Wallace out of the picture, Cave is never going to be an international centre so all we're left with is 2 kids and a bunch of wingers.
My own view is that we get Trimble back in the centres were he started and convert Bowe to a 13 were hes played for the Ospreys and the Lions, that will give the young lads a chance to develop along with the likes of Farrell at Ulster who looks a decent prospect
Someone needs to make these decisions now or at least at the end of the 6n when I really believe DK will be relieved of his duties
its time for new blood which should be Conor O'Shea but can we tempt him away from Quins
Posted 15:44 18th February 2013
connaughtabu says...
I have to agree ROG was "brutal" at the weekend - the kid playing at No10 for the Scarlets (?) was way better and full of the adventure of youth. The game has moved on and ROG is a little on the light-side for modern test rugby. And as for his place-kicking!!!!!!!
I am not sure Earls can play inside centre (?), so I guess it will be McFadden at No12 and the grand old man himself at No13.
I have a terrible foreboding about the scrum - without our favourite thug (:-))) at loosehead, I fear the Scots may run riot. Kilcoyne's backup is Court who plays like a lion at provincial level but at test level??
As several posters have noted - other sides use the bench as a platform to launch weapons and enhance team performance - Ireland approach is more passive: "Rosser (Leinster_goy speak) is knackered, better send on someone, hope to God he can play at tighhead!"
:-))
Posted 14:35 18th February 2013
connaughtabu says...
@ArmchairGeneral
Nice one! Pity they aren't.
I have a bad feeling in my waters about the game against Scotland!
:-((
Posted 14:21 18th February 2013
highschool says...
Flying into Scotland and I for one will be singing the flower of Scotland. Come on Scotland do us a favour and win 50 - 0 put an end to the Kidney era and ring in the new era. We are a team going backwards and unlike other mangers Irelands manager will not gracefully resign!
Posted 13:03 18th February 2013
feckin_eejit says...
Agree with most of the comments here - ROG well-past his sell-by date and as he seems deluded with his own abilities, someone should let him know. Earls is not a centre. Paddy Jackson is not international standard outhalf - although as DK still believes that ROG is international standard, then PJ probably is too.
The only silver lining I can see is that if (and when) ROG is found wanting against Scotland, that will be the end of DK.
Posted 12:47 18th February 2013
12Counties says...
Exclusion of Madigan is beyond baffling. I'm not saying start him (even though I would), but hes the only player in Ireland whos fit, playing 10 regularly, and kicking goals at a test level standard. And thats before you mention his try scoring ability and passing. Even his defense is okay. Sure its a risk, but so is playing O'Gara at the moment. He looked a broken man at the weekend, someone needs to save him from himself, because he seems to be too proud to. I would start Earls on the wing but if he starts at 12 or 13 i'll be watching the telly through my fingers.
I don't know if even 3 wins can save Kidney at this stage, maybe a championship would. With that in mind, I think he should go for broke and select the following: DK RB MR IH DR POM SOB JH CM IM LF LM BOD KE RK.
But in all likelihood DOC will start at 4, ROG at 10, Earls or McFadden at 12 and Gilroy at 14.
If Kidneys days are limited, I just hope the new coach is appointed quickly, they really should be sounding out people discreetly now. He needs to be appointed in time to select his own squad for the North American tour in June. Anthony Foley or Mike Ruddock or someone taking a squad will be absolutely pointless, they'd be better off not going and resting up. It would be an ideal opportunity for the new coach to see what the younger players are about up close for a couple of weeks, while the Lions are away. Of course that won't happen either. We'll still be without a head coach as they as talk about process and so on, in the middle of the summer.
Posted 11:59 18th February 2013
liam2me says...
We have to put up with Houdini yet again. I despair!
Posted 11:36 18th February 2013
GCP_jones says...
If you look at the amount of injuries added to Kidney's worship of Earls and persistance with O'Gara, if Scotland don't claim victory against us they should give up playing the game.
I hope I'm wrong put its shaping up to be another poor 6 nations from us.
Posted 10:52 18th February 2013
Theshaw says...
No Ian maddigan!!! He is clearly better than paddy jackson
Posted 10:22 18th February 2013
3in4 says...
@ArmchairGeneral
Chance would be a fine thing. Looks like we're stuck with Turnip Face for the rest of this Six Nations, and probably longer.
Posted 10:07 18th February 2013
99call says...
melkdave, think youre right that Earls will be in the centres with BOD but I really hope DK throws use all a curve ball and pick Marshall at 12 being that hes the only true inside centre in the squad, the real issue that I have is that McFadden will probably be in the 23 and possibly even in the starting 15 I really dont see what DK sees in him especially when he picks him in the centre
The side will be
Kilcoyne, Best, Ross, DOC, Ryan, OMahony, SOB, Heaslip, Murray, ROG, Earls, BOD, Gilroy, Mc Fadden, Kearney
I would have no issue with that pack but the backline should be for me
Murray, Jackson, Marshall, Bod, Gilroy, Fitzy, Kearney
But thats not going to happen
Posted 10:05 18th February 2013
jbscott19 says...
Much as I like Marshall, his off-loading is not good.
The best off-loader and defensive player is nowhere to be seen. Downey.
Posted 09:46 18th February 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Read the headline and thought Kidney was replaced by Graham Henry and Justin Marshall!
Posted 08:00 18th February 2013
melkdave says...
Surprised to be honest DK has called L.Marshall in to the squad.But still expect K.Earls to line up with BOD against Scotland.
Posted 06:11 18th February 2013