Ireland head coach Declan Kidney has opted to retain Paddy Jackson as his ten for Saturday's Six Nations clash with France at the Aviva Stadium.
An opening had been left in the 23 for the starting and replacement fly-half due to Jackson suffering from a tight hamstring, but he came through both kicking and training as expected and will start.
Leinster's uncapped Ian Madigan earns his first call-up to an international matchday squad.
The replacement tighthead slot has also been confirmed with the uncapped Munster prop Stephen Archer named in the replacements.
Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Fergus McFadden, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Luke Marshall, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip (c) 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Peter O'Mahony, 5 Donnacha Ryan, 4 Mike McCarthy, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 David Kilcoyne, 18 Stephen Archer, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Eoin Reddan, 21 Ian Madigan, 22 Luke Fitzgerald.
Date: Saturday, March 9
Kick-off: 17:00
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)
Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Greg Garner (England)
Television match official: Nigel Whitehouse (Wales)
Comments
carpelone says...
I think that this is a correct decision. You need some games to show what you bring to the party. Will he play against Italy as well? Would you risk Sexton?
Posted 14:58 07th March 2013
99call says...
OK decision made Im sure the leinster boys will moan but what is to be gained by giving Jackson 60 minutes of international rugby against scotland and then dropping him... the answer is nothing
If he had suffered a confidence crisis after scotland then putting him on the bench would have kicked him even harder
Im sure Madigan will get his chance so hopefully they both have good performances and we can move on with 3 outhalves
Interesting to see that Archer has jumped past Bent, talk about a baptism of fire it doesnt come much harder than france for your first cap if he gets on heres hoping he has a good one
Heart says Ire 12 - 10 France
Head says Ire 12 - 21 France
Lets just hope the heart wins it
Posted 14:44 07th March 2013
Theshaw says...
I hate this Jackson guy, hope he gets injured first minute and maddigan gets on!!
Posted 14:32 07th March 2013