Rugby: Heading into this series of World Cup warm-up matches, Felix Jones might have considered his chances of making the plane to New Zealand slim. But with Declan Kidney's options at fullback somewhat limited, the Munster number 15 finds himself further up the pecking order than he might have expected.
With Rob Kearney recovering from a groin strain picked up in Bordeaux last weekend, Kidney has opted against experimenting further with either Keith Earls or Luke Fitzgerald in the troublesome fullback role and has instead entrusted Jones with the number 15 jersey for Saturday’s return match against France.
The former Leinster man is certainly a more natural fit, but with Geordan Muprhy also back in the mix – the Leicester veteran starts for an Ireland XV against Connacht tomorrow night – nothing can be taken for granted at this stage. Nevertheless, after Kidney revealed his selections this afternoon there is a feeling Jones is in pole position to provide back-up to Kearney.
Elsewhere, both Brian O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy are back in tandem in the Irish midfield having recovered from injury, with Jonathan Sexton partnered by Tomás O’Leary in the halfbacks. Fitzgerald, who needs to impress with time running out to nail down a place in the squad, will have to settle for a place on the bench with Earls moved out to the left wing.
Having previously kept his powder dry up front, Kidney names a full strength pack with Paul O’Connell, David Wallace and Jamie Heaslip making their first starts of the season. Stephen Ferris, out since January, is fit enough to be named on the bench and will be champing at the bit to be let loose on the French.
Kidney, who says Ferris and Tommy Bowe had been enjoying the physical aspect of the ‘non-contact’ sessions this week, fully expects to deploy the Ulster backrow at some stage.
“I can’t guarantee for how long,” he told reporters this afternoon. “Hopefully he’ll get a good run. As I’ve said, he’s been going well in training and is fit enough to be named on the bench . . . the only injury concerns for Stephen at this stage are for the people he’s been bumping into in training.”
While the team selected for Saturday’s test is intuitive as to Kidney’s thinking ahead of Monday’s squad announcement, the selection against Connacht is almost as revealing. Paddy Wallace is named at outhalf and despite nagging concerns over his form, his ability to cover both 10 and 12 puts him at a clear advantage. Isaac Boss needs a big game at scrumhalf to secure a seat back to his native New Zealand, likewise Fergus McFadden who has been relegated to the second string.
Shane Jennings makes a return to the backrow alongside Denis Leamy and Kevin McLaughlin, a triumvirate that will all be there or thereabouts when it comes time to trim the squad, while Tony Buckley is utilised at loosehead after failing to convince on either side of the scrum when introduced in last weekend’s 19-12 defeat.
The Connacht team sees three changes from that which started against the Exeter Chiefs in Dubarry Park last weekend. Adrian Flavin is named at hooker, Mick Kearney replaces the injured Dave Nolan and John Muldoon returns to captain the side from blindside flanker. The backline remains unaltered.
Coach Eric Elwood admitted: “This will a be a huge test for us, we’re up against a strong Ireland select side with players vying for World Cup places so it’s a great opportunity for our players to test themselves at this level.
“From our perspective we’re looking for an 80 minute performance and improvements in key areas from last weekend’s game against Exeter “
Ireland(v France): F Jones (Munster); A Trimble (Ulster), B O'Driscoll (Leinster) G D'Arcy (Leinster), K Earls (Munster); J Sexton (Leinster), T O'Leary (Leinster); C Healy (Leinster), R Best (Ulster), M Ross (Leinster), D O'Callaghan (Munster), P O'Connell (Munster, capt); S O'Brien (Leinster), D Wallace (Munster), J Heaslip (Leinster). Replacements:J Flannery (Munster), T Court (Ulster), M McCarthy (Connacht), S Ferris (Ulster) E Reddan (Leinster), R O'Gara (Munster), L Fitzgerald (Leinster).
France:C Heymans; M Medard, A Rougerie, F Estebanez, A Palisson; D Skrela, M Parra; JB Poux, D Szarzewski, N Mas; P Pape, L Nallet (capt); F Quedraogo, J Bonaire, L Picamoles. Replacements:G Guirado, F Barcella/ L Ducalcon, J Pierre, R Lafika, D Yachvili, F Trinh Duc, V Clerc.
Ireland XV(v Connacht) G Murphy (Leicester); J Murphy (Munster), D Cave (Ulster), I Keatley (Munster), F McFadden (Leinster); P Wallace (Ulster), I Boss (Leinster); T Buckley (Sale), S Cronin (Leinster), J Hayes (Munster); M O'Driscoll (Munster), L Cullen (Leinster); K McLaughlin (Leinster), S Jennings (Leinster), D Leamy (Leinster). Replacements:D Varley (Munster), M Horan (Munster), D Ryan (Munster), N Ronan (Munster), C Murray (Munster), D Hurley (Munster), I Whitten (Ulster).
Connacht:T O'Halloran; M McCrea, E Griffin, H Fa'afili, B Tuohy; N O'Connor, P O'Donohue; D Rogers, A Flavin, R Ah You; M Swift, M Kearney; J Muldoon (capt), R Ofisa, G Naoupu. Replacements:E Reynecke, D Buckley, J O'Connor, TJ Anderson, D Moore, M Jarvis, J Loxton.
