Irish give Sexton the nod

Jonathan Sexton has retained his place in Ireland's starting line-up to face South Africa at Croke Park on Saturday.

Sexton impressed coach Declan Kidney on his debut in the 41-6 triumph over Fiji last weekend, and keeps hold of the No.10 jersey despite the availability of Ronan O'Gara.

The Munster stand-off has been a regular in green since fighting his way back into the team following his only previous axing in 2003, and must content himself with a place on the bench.

"I know we have a world-class fly-half in Ronan O'Gara but I thought Jonathan Sexton had a good game last weekend," Kidney said.

"I need to find out more about Jonathan. I worked with him last year and played him in the A team.

"Ronan is disappointed but Ronan being Ronan, he's still contributing to the team this week.

"It doesn't matter that it was a difficult call, my job is to pick the team."

Otherwise, Kidney returns to the same team that drew 20-20 with Australia in Ireland's autumn opener, with Tommy Bowe returning on the right wing in place of Shane Horgan.

Ulster's Paddy Wallace is restored at inside centre in favour of Gordon D'Arcy, while Cian Healy resumes loosehead duties after missing the Fiji win with a shoulder injury.

Donncha O'Callaghan also returns in the second row with Leo Cullen moving to the replacements while David Wallace is back in the XV at No.7.

Back rower Denis Leamy has been replaced on the bench by Leinster's Sean O'Brien after suffering an ankle injury, while Peter Stringer provides back-up to scrum-half Tomas O'Leary ahead of Eoin Reddan.

Ireland squad: 15 R Kearney (Leinster); 14 T Bowe (Ospreys), 13 B O'Driscoll (capt) (Leinster), 12 P Wallace (Ulster), 11 K Earls (Munster); 10 J Sexton (Leinster), 9 T O'Leary (Munster); 1 C Healy (Leinster), 2 J Flannery (Munster), 3 J Hayes (Munster); 4 D O'Callaghan (Munster), 5 P O'Connell (Munster), 6 S Ferris (Ulster), 7 D Wallace (Munster), 8 J Heaslip (Leinster).

Replacements: 16 S Cronin (Connacht), 17 T Buckley (Munster), 18 L Cullen (Leinster), 19 S O'Brien (Leinster), 20 P Stringer (Munster), 21 R O'Gara (Munster), 22 G D'Arcy (Leinster).