Axe falls on O'Kelly

Ireland have dropped record cap holder Malcolm O'Kelly from their squad for the RBS Six Nations clash against England.

Ireland drop record cap holder from training squad to face England

Ireland have dropped record cap holder Malcolm O'Kelly from their 36-man squad for the RBS Six Nations clash against England. O'Kelly has been deemed surplus to requirements, despite having been named in the two previous Irish squads. Donncha O'Callaghan and Paul O'Connell are expected to start against England in the second row, with Mick O'Driscoll and Bob Casey providing cover, although Alan Quinlan's versatility might see him named on the bench. Coach Declan Kidney will make a final decision on his 22-man squad for the match at Croke Park on Tuesday - although major changes are unlikely. However Gordon D'Arcy is pushing for selection ahead of Paddy Wallace in the centres, while Rory Best could oust Jerry Flannery from the No.2 jersey. Ireland - Forwards : Rory Best (Ulster), Tony Buckley (Munster), Bob Casey (London Irish), Ryan Caldwell (Ulster), Tom Court (Ulster), Stephen Ferris (Ulster), Jerry Flannery (Munster), John Hayes (Munster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Marcus Horan (Munster), Bernard Jackman (Leinster), Shane Jennings (Leinster) Denis Leamy (Munster) Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster) Paul O'Connell (Munster) Mick O'Driscoll (Munster) Alan Quinlan (Munster) David Wallace (Munster).
Backs: Tommy Bowe (Ospreys), Darren Cave (Ulster), Girvan Dempsey (Leinster), Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster), Keith Earls (Munster), Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster), Shane Horgan (Leinster), Robert Kearney (Leinster), Geordan Murphy (Leicester), Eoin Reddan (Wasps), Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster), Ronan O'Gara (Munster), Tomas O'Leary (Munster), Jonathan Sexton (Leinster) Peter Stringer (Munster), Andrew Trimble (Ulster), Paddy Wallace (Ulster).