Rugby Digest: Declan Kidney’s Ronan O’Gara ax could backfire

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Rugby Digest: Declan Kidney’s Ronan O’Gara ax could backfire

Declan Kidney’s decision to ax Ronan O’Gara could yet backfire on him ahead of the Six Nations clash with France in Dublin on Saturday.

Kidney all but ended O’Gara’s reign as Ireland’s most capped player when he left him out of the 32 man training squad for the penultimate game of the championship.

Now Jonathon Sexton has been ruled out of the French match with his ongoing hamstring injury, and replacement Paddy Jackson is struggling with a similar problem.

That could leave Leinster’s uncapped youngster Ian Madigan as the only out-half in the squad -- and prompt Kidney to send an SOS for O’Gara less than a week after snubbing him.

Speaking at the press conference to announce his team on Tuesday, Kidney admitted that Jackson or Madigan will start at 10 and confirmed that O’Gara could come into the reckoning if Jackson fails a fitness test.

The Ireland coach, fighting for his future after losses to England and Scotland already this season, said, “I left an opening at 10 and at reserve 10 because just before we came into the training I was told that it was better to give Jonny another week.

“We’ve withdrawn Jonny from consideration and it’s between Paddy and Ian now and we’ll firm that up later in the week.

“Jonny ran out full this morning, reached top speeds but sometimes there’s a balance between what is right for the player and what is right for the team.

“He needs another week of building it up to be right for the following week against Italy.

“Paddy’s chances of pulling through are very good and he should be good to train on Thursday. We’ll make the choice between Paddy and Ian then.”

Craig Gilroy has also been ruled out with a groin injury and is replaced on the wing by Fergus McFadden.

Cian Healy returns in the front row after suspension in place of Tom Court, and Mike McCarthy regains his place in the second row at the expense of Donncha O’Callaghan.

There are two gaps in the replacements with no out-half named, and Stephen Archer or Michael Bent will be chosen as replacement prop with Declan Fitzpatrick ruled out through injury.

Kidney defended his decision to leave the 128 time capped O’Gara out of the initial 32 man squad for the French clash after poor performances from the Munster man when he appeared as a sub in the three championship games so far this season.

Asked if it was a mistake to leave O’Gara out, Kidney said, “No, you can’t be bringing in 45 or 47 to cover each position. It was just Murphy’s law what was going to happen at 10.

“Every IRFU contracted player is available to us and we’ll call in players when and where we deem fit, but at the moment we don’t have the need to call in anybody.

“We’ll call him in if need be but there is no need at the moment. We have 20 guys on notice and they are all on full alert that they are on call to come in.”

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Nster.com