Sports Digest: Irish rugby team easily pass Italian test in RBS Six Nations

“We had the courage to play, but what we need to do is get the balance right. That comes with playing together and the more time we spend together the better we’ll become.”

Ireland: Kearney; Bowe, Earls, D’Arcy, Trimble; Sexton, Murray; Healy, Best, Ross, O’Callaghan, O’Connell, Ferris, O’Brien, Heaslip. Replacements: Reddan for Murray 54 mins; McFadden for Earls 67 mins; O’Gara for Sexton 70 mins; Ryan for O’Callaghan 70 mins; Cronin for Best 70 mins; Court for Healey 70 mins.
 
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Ireland coach Declan Kidney expects to have Cian Healy, Sean O’Brien, Rob Kearney and Gordon D’Arcy fit for Sunday’s game in Paris despite injuries picked up against Italy last weekend.

Kearney reported a tight groin during the game but a scan has revealed no significant damage. D’Arcy took a blow to the shoulder but had no ill-effects after the game.

Healy received a blow to the jaw early in the game and will take part in modified training while O’Brien turned an ankle during the game and went for a precautionary scan which was clear.
 
Rugby Shorts

Former Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan has admitted he is interested in the upcoming vacancies with Munster and Ulster.  Munster coach Tony McGahan is to return to Australia to work with their national side while the Ulster branch have decided not to renew coach Brian McLaughlin’s contract. “I’m in the market for a job. We’ll see what happens,” said O’Sullivan . . .

MUNSTER scrum-half Peter Stringer will remain in England and join Newcastle Falcons on a short-term loan when his current arrangement with Saracens expires in early March . . .

ANTHONY Foley will work as forwards coach with the Ireland team for the remainder of the Six Nations campaign after Gert Smal was forced to rest due to a long-term eye condition . . .

FRANCE have called up Toulouse full-back Clement Poitrenaud after the injured Maxime Medard was forced to pull out of the squad to face Ireland on Sunday.

Trap’s Team

Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni will hand Derry duo James McClean and Shane Duffy their international debuts from the bench on Wednesday night.

Sunderland winger McClean and Everton defender Duffy have been named as substitutes for the Aviva Stadium friendly against the Czech Republic.

The game is the second last match before Trapattoni names squad for the European Championships in Poland this summer.

McClean and Duffy have their work cut out to make that squad but should get some chance to impress the Italian on Wednesday.

Wigan midfielder James McCarthy is in the same boat despite a late injury crisis for the Irish boss.
Wolves striker Kevin Doyle and Birmingham’s Keith Fahey were the latest players to withdraw on Tuesday.

Like defender Stephen Kelly and goalkeeper Keiren Westwood they have now returned to their clubs in England.

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Nster.com