MUNSTER loosehead prop, Dave Kilcoyne (pictured), favoured by many to replace the suspended Cian Healy for Ireland against Scotland this weekend in the Six Nations, has been overlooked for selection by Ireland coach Declan Kidney.
Kilcoyne, who had been used as a replacement for Healy in the opening two games of the championship loses out to the Ulster prop, Tom Court.
The decision will come as a surprise to many Ireland fans, who say Kilcoyne as a potential Lions Tour prospect in the Summer.
In other injury enforced changes Paddy Jackson replaces Jonathan Sexton at 10, Donncha O’Callaghan replaces Mike Mc Carthy at four, while Luke Marshall replaces Gordon D’Arcy at inside centre. Keith Earls, who came on for Simon Zebo in Wales, will continue to operate on the left wing.
The decision to pick Paddy Jackson and leave Ronan O’Gara out of the side was described by Declan Kidney as being, “right up there” when asked if it was the hardest decision of his career.
“Paddy’s inclusion was a challenge given Ronan’s stature, but Paddy deserves a go. It was a very difficult decision”. Kick off on Sunday 24 at Murrayfield is at 2pm.
The Ireland Team to play Scotland on Sunday, 24th February 2013 in Murrayfield, Edinburgh in the RBS 6 Nations Championship, Kick off 2:00 pm is:
(Player/club/province/international caps):
15 – Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster/43)
14 – Craig Gilroy (Dungannon/Ulster/3)
13 – Brian O’Driscoll (UCD/Leinster/122)
12 – Luke Marshall (Ballymena/Ulster)*
11 – Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster/36)
10 – Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster)*
9 – Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster/16)
1 – Tom Court (Ulster/29)
2 – Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster/64)
3 – Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster/26)
4 – Donncha O’Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster/92)
5 – Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster/25)
6 – Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster/11)
7 – Sean O’Brien (UCD/Leinster/24)
8 – Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster/54) Captain
Replacements:
16 – Sean Cronin (St. Mary’s College/Leinster/24)
17 – David Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster/4)
18 – Declan Fitzpatrick (Dungannon/Ulster/4)
19 – Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster/3)
20 – Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster/2)
21 – Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster/48)
22 – Ronan O’Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster/127)
23 – Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College /Leinster/23)
*Denotes uncapped player
