The burden of 61 years waiting for a grand slam descended on Ireland yesterday when their coach, Declan Kidney, reverted to type in his selection for Saturday's Six Nations decider against Wales in Cardiff. On St Patrick's Day the Irish coach reversed three of the four changes he made against Scotland, going for the team that won against France and England but with the inclusion of Gordon D'Arcy.
The Leinster centre, who has fought his way back from injury yet again this season, replaces Paddy Wallace, with the Ulsterman dropping to the replacements' bench alongside the unlucky Peter Stringer, official man of the match at Murrayfield and the architect of Ireland's only try of the game, scored by Jamie Heaslip.
That day Stringer was making his first start for two years after slipping to third in the Irish scrum-half pecking order following a poor World Cup. He even struggled at Munster to get a start ahead of the man who will wear the No9 jersey at Cardiff, Tomás O'Leary – one of eight players from the Heineken Cup champions in the starting XV and 11 in the matchday 22.
Kidney said all his changes were difficult to explain. "The difference between the players is so small. Sometimes you have to go with what you see as the right chemistry." Presumably in O'Leary's case the coach sees better defence close to the scrum being more important than Stringer's rapid service.
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O'Leary Returns As Cagey Kidney Seeks Winning Chemistry
O'Leary Returns As Cagey Kidney Seeks Winning Chemistry
