BO'D boost for Ireland

Skipper passed fit to win his 100th cap for Ireland

Last updated: 9th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

BO'D boost for Ireland

O'Driscoll: Passed fit

Related links

Teams

Also see

Brian O'Driscoll has been passed fit to win his 100th cap for Ireland when Wales visit Croke Park in the RBS Six Nations on Saturday.

The Ireland captain picked up a knock in the 20-16 victory against England, however he will follow team-mate John Hayes in achieving the landmark appearance.

The 31-year-old said: "At the start you want to get as many caps as possible, but you never look and hope to attain 100.

"I've always approached it like the next game in a green shirt is my last. With that policy you can't go far wrong. And it's not over yet."

Jamie Heaslip has also been cleared to play after tweaking an ankle injury against England so coach Declan Kidney is able to name the same starting XV.

That means Geordan Murphy retains the No.15 jersey, with Rob Kearney having to settle for a place on the bench on his return. Andrew Trimble drops out the squad as a result.

Kidney said: "I thought Geordan went well against England to warrant a second go.

"Rob has worked hard to get back but we've decided to go with Geordan."

Ireland: 15 G Murphy (Leicester), 14 T Bowe (Ospreys), 13 B O'Driscoll (Leinster, capt), 12 G D'Arcy (Leinster), 11 K Earls (Munster), 10 J Sexton (Leinster), 9 T O'Leary (Munster), 1 C Healy (Leinster), 2 R Best (Ulster), 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 Jennings (Leinster), 20 E Reddan (Leinster), 21 R O'Gara (Munster), 22 R Kearney (Leinster).