Kidney backing experienced O'Gara
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
Declan Kidney insists Ireland will benefit from Ronan O'Gara's experience in Saturday's RBS 6 Nations clash with France.
The Grand Slam champions continue with O'Gara at fly-half even though Jonathan Sexton, who emerged as first choice in the position last autumn, is close to full fitness.
Sexton has been included among an extended substitutes bench but is expected to recover imminently from the dead leg that forced him to miss the 29-11 victory over Italy.
O'Gara will be winning his 95th cap on Saturday and alongside Brian O'Driscoll and John Hayes is one of only three survivors from Ireland's last victory in Paris, a 27-25 win in 2000.
'Ronan had a very good game against Italy so there was no reason not to play him this week,' said Kidney.
'Jon has been making a good recovery and the final stage of that should be achieved tomorrow when he goes place kicking.
'We're in the lucky position of having two good fly-halves and Ronan's experience will be more than helpful going to Paris.'
Kidney's plans for France have been affected by a chaotic injury list that claimed lock Donncha O'Callaghan as victim once more, so Leo Cullen continues to deputise alongside Paul O'Connell.
Back row enforcer Stephen Ferris will be given every chance to prove his fitness, confronting him with a race against time to overcome the knee problem that forced him out against Italy.
Kevin McLaughlin is on standby to replace him while Keith Earls comes in for left wing Andrew Trimble, who is nursing a hamstring strain.
'We'll make a decision as soon as we can with Stephen, but sometimes you don't make a decision until you have to,' said Kidney.
'Donncha trained this morning but just isn't right to take the pitch on Saturday.
'Keith did very well against South Africa last autumn and didn't do anything wrong in December or January.
'I wanted to give Andrew a go to see how he went last week. He went well but Keith deserves his go now.
'Andrew tweaked his hamstring and we want to give him full time to recover.'
Hayes will move on to 99 caps at the Stade de France and is set to become the first player to reach a century of Test appearances for Ireland when they meet England two weeks later.
The Irish head to Paris seeking only their third victory in the French capital since 1952.
France opened their campaign with a comfortable 18-9 win over Scotland.
