Rugby:Ireland coach Declan Kidney put the final touches to his preparations for tomorrow's clash with Wales this afternoon, overseeing the captain's run at Croke Park. With the hard work undertaken earlier in the week, today's session was little more than a gentle run-out at GAA headquarters.
Outhalf Jonathan Sexton was afforded the opportunity to reacquaint himself with the nuances of the Croke Park pitch, getting in some valuable kicking practice, while the forwards ran through some lineout drills.
Kidney will address the media shortly, while Wales coach Warren Gatland and stand-in captain Martyn Williams are holding a separate media conference in Portmarnock.
Nick Mallett, meanwhile, has kept faith with the same Italy players who notched a rare win for Sunday's match against France.
Martin Castrogiovanni has shaken off a muscle strain and Andrea Masi also kept his place in the side named this afternoon despite suffering from a stiff neck.
Pablo Canavosio was named on the bench again despite scoring the match-winning try in the 16-12 win over Scotland.
The Azzurri also had the same starting lineup when they pushed England hard in a 17-12 defeat after losing their opener 29-11 in Ireland. Mallett's men are seeking their first win over France in the competition to scupper their opponents' bid to win the grand slam.
"It's natural to expect France to play an expansive game. They have a very lively style," centre Gonzalo Canale said.
"It's up to us to try and stop them playing this game. We must put up a great defence so we can then exploit the possession we get to attack."