Rugby:Ireland coach Declan Kidney was unable to name a starting outhalf when he announced his matchday squad for next Saturday's game against France in Dublin.
While Jonny Sexton has declared himself unavailable for selection, Kidney has delayed naming Paddy Jackson in the position until later this week, when it is clear that the Ulster player’s hamstring tightness has cleared up. Jackson pulled up in team training but according to management did not damage his hamstring.
There was, however, some confusion at yesterday’s team announcement with players openly talking about Jackson taking the place kicks but Kidney reserving the call, saying that his final pick will only come on Thursday when he knows the fitness reports on all of his players.
“It’s just tightness and that’s what we are dealing with today,” said Kidney on Jackson’s hamstring. It’s Paddy Jackson and Ian Madigan at 10 and we’ll firm that up later in the week. All the information I have is that Paddy will be good, then we’ll work away with that.
“Paddy trained at 10 today, Ian trained there yesterday and we’ll make a call after.”
Jackson, who won the man of the match award last weekend with Ulster, is expected to start the game if fit and take the place kicks in the absence of Sexton, who will be available for Ireland’s final game against Italy in Rome next week.
“It’s better to give Jonny another week,” said Kidney. “He has withdrawn from consideration for this week. He needs another week to build up the muscle and we’ll give him another week.”
Leinster’s Fergus McFadden starts on the right wing for the injured Craig Gilroy (groin) with loosehead prop Cian Healy coming into the starting team after his suspension following the game against England.
Donnacha Ryan has also shaken off a back injury and makes up the secondrow with the fit again Mike McCarthy.
There is also a question mark on the bench, with Kidney yet to decide on whether Stephen Archer or Michael Bent will provide tighthead cover. Ulster’s Declan Fitzpatrick has been ruled out.
Ireland:Rob Kearney; Fergus McFadden, Brian O'Driscoll, Luke Marshall, Keith Earls; Paddy Jackson/Ian Madigan , Conor Murray; Cian Healy, Rory Best, Mike Ross; Mike McCarthy, Donnacha Ryan; Peter O'Mahony, Sean O'Brien, Jamie Heaslip. Replacements:Sean Cronin, Dave Kilcoyne, Stephen Archer/Michael Bent, Donncha O'Callaghan, Iain Henderson, Eoin Reddab, Ian Madigan/Paddy Jackson, Luke Fitzgerald
