As You Were For Ireland For Azzuri Clash

The Ireland team to play Italy in the RBS 6 Nations Championship at Aviva Stadium on Saturday, February 25th has been named.

As expected Declan Kidney has named the same team, starting and replacements who were supposed to play against France in Paris two weeks ago. This means that despite a good kicking performance from Ronan O’Gara in the weekends Rabo Direct Pro 12 clash against Treviso, Jonathan Sexton will wear the number 10 jersey, despite suffering from a slight niggle before the game was due to be played in Paris. Conor Murray will partner Sexton at half back.

Keith Earls takes the number 13 shirt and partners Gordan D’Arcy who will make his 65th cap for Ireland in mid field.

Despite increasing pressure from Donnacha Ryan, Declan Kidney has kept faith with Donnacha O Callaghan to team up with captain Paul OConnell.

And despite conceding the penalty that lead to Ireland’s loss to Wales on the opening weekend, Stephen Ferris will start.

There is one un capped player on the bench and that is Munster’s Peter O’Mahony.

IRELAND Team & Replacements (v Italy, 2012 RBS 6 Nations Championship, Aviva Stadium, Saturday, February 25, kick-off 1.30pm):

Daniel "Pitchside" Pitcher Twitter: @DanFM104Sport About: Dan "Pitchside" Pitcher provides insight and commentary as the chief soccer and rugby correspondent for Sportspeak.