IRELAND COACH DECLAN KIDNEY will name his starting XV for the Six Nations opener against Wales on Saturday.
While the make-up of most of Kidney’s team is close to guaranteed already, there are one or two selection issues to be settled upon.
The back row will be an area of Irish interest, with the coach mulling over retaining Chris Henry at openside flanker or drafting in Peter O’Mahony at blindside to accommodate the returning Sean O’Brien.
The other area that will draw a lot of attention this afternoon are the wingers Kidney will select.
Ulster’s Craig Gilroy tore Argentina to shreds in the November Series win. Keith Earls is heralded as Brian O’Driscoll’s heir but, with the former Ireland captain fit and firing, the versatile back could be shifted back to the wings.
Simon Zebo is in fantastic form for Munster and will revert to his wing role now that Rob Kearney is back from injury.
