Heaslip sits out Irish training

Ireland No.8 Jamie Heaslip was the only player to sit out training as Declan Kidney drilled his troops ahead of next week's Six Nations clash against Wales.

Heaslip is still suffering the effects of a sprained ankle picked up in the victory over England but his absence from the Carton House session is merely seen as a precautionary measure.

The other casualty from the 20-16 win at Twickenham – Ireland’s sixth defeat of England in their last seven meetings – was captain Brian O’Driscoll who was accidentally kneed in the head by teammate Paul O’Connell.

But after undergoing a compulsory cognitive test, centre O’Driscoll was given the all clear to take part in the full training sessions.

Ulster duo Andrew Trimble and Paddy Wallace were also part of the session, despite not starting against England, although they are still due to play for their region against the Scarlets on Friday night.

Kidney was also able to call on the services of Leicester winger Johne Murphy after the Tigers decided they did not require his services for the rematch of last year’s Guinness Premiership play-off final against London Irish.

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Flannery six-week ban upheld

Irish hooker Jerry Flannery will not play again in this year's Six Nations after his appeal against his suspension was dismissed.

The Munster star was banned for six weeks after kicking France’s Alexis Palisson in Ireland’s 33-10 defeat in Paris.

An independent Six Nations appeal committee met at a London hotel and decided against Flannery’s reinstatement after considering submissions made by the player.

They upheld the original disciplinary committee’s finding that the act of foul play was in the mid-range of offending defined by IRB Regulation 17 although French commentators were demanding stiffer sentences.

Rory Best replaced Flannery for last weekend’s Six Nations win over England and is likely to continue in that role against Wales.

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Kidney wary of Wales backlash

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has urged his side to be on their guard ahead of Wales' visit to Croke Park - despite Warren Gatland's side's stuttering Six Nations campaign.

Wales are fourth in the table after losing 26-20 to France at the Millennium Stadium, as well as 30-17 at Twickenham in their tournament opener.

But Kidney is aware of the threat Wales pose and says they could have easily been arriving in Dublin chasing a Grand Slam.

“Wales have been really unlucky not to win all three,” said Kidney.

“I don’t see them giving us the points that England and France got. They are a side that makes you play for the 80 minutes, as was shown last year in Cardiff when it was really just the kick of the ball between us.

“It’s going to be another huge game – you have to get it right against them.”

And Kidney remembers all too well how Wales triumphed 16-12 in Dublin en-route to the Grand Slam two years ago.

“Last time they were in Croke Park they won – they seemed to like it,” Kidney added.

“They are playing a good game and I’m sure they will go after us.

“That’s a pleasing thing too. We were seen as a scalp at the start of the season but we’ve answered two out of three calls now. We’ve another two to answer but the Welsh one is the only thing we’ll be concentrating on.”

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Kidney receives clean bill of health.

Ireland's bid to retain the Triple Crown received a boost as head coach Declan Kidney was handed a clean bill of health following the 20-16 Six Nations victory over England.

Captain Brian O’Driscoll was stretchered off with 16 minutes remaining at Twickenham after teammate Paul O’Connell accidentally kneed him in the head.

Despite the serious-looking nature of the injury, O’Driscoll suffered no lasting effects and returned to the field to celebrate the win that saw Ireland draw level with England on four points.

Commenting on O’Driscoll’s injury after the match, Kidney played down fears his talismanic centre had suffered a concussion.

He said: “Brian took bit of a bang. It was nothing – he was out on the pitch at the end. He's good and is enjoying the win as much as anyone.

“Brian just felt he should make Paul (O’Connell) do the press conference to make up for him giving him a bang on the head with his knee. There's no risk of concussion. He's fine.”

Meanwhile No.8 Jamie Heaslip, who was named Six Nations man-of-the-match, sprained his ankle but completed the 80 minutes and will be fit for the clash with Wales on March 13 according to a statement released by the IRFU.

On Wednesday, the starting XV from the England victory, minus Leicester full-back Geordan Murphy, will convene for a two-day training camp.

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Kidney likens Twickenham success to 2009 Grand Slam

Ireland coach Declan Kidney insists beating England at Twickenham is comparable to winning the  Six Nations Grand Slam last year.

Tommy Bowe’s late try, his second of the match, handed Ireland a 20-16 victory after Jonny Wilkinson had put England ahead for the first time with a drop goal.

And after the hard fought win, in which Ireland made an astonishing 99 tackles, Kidney praised his side for bouncing back following their defeat to France two weeks ago.

He said: "I'm hugely proud, I've got the same feeling we had at the end of last year's championship.

"We can be hard on ourselves and we're lacking a bit of belief - I'm not sure why, but we responded better.

“The difference between today and Paris was we took our opportunities today."

"I think both teams were looking to respond," he said.

"I don't think England were happy after the Italy game and lots of questions were asked of us after the France game." 

Kidney reserved special praise for his side’s defence that, with the exception of Dan Cole’s try, restricted England’s attacking opportunities. 

"Conditions were not suited to running rugby, especially in the first half, but our defence held firm and apart from that try they scored our defence was fairly comfortable,” he added.

"England are such a tough team to play against, it doesn't matter whether they're on top of the world or not doing so well, they're an incredibly physical side to play against."

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Flannery refuses to wave the white flag

Ireland's Jerry Flannery is refusing to wave the white flag just yet and plans to appeal against his six-week ban for kicking France's Alexis Palisson.

Flannery was handed the ban last week following the alleged incident in Paris on February 13 and if upheld will miss the remainder of the Six Nations championships.

Flannery, who pleaded guilty and acknowledged the offence deserved a red card during his hearing last week, has been banned until 29 March, ruling him out of Ireland's remaining fixtures against England, Wales and Scotland.

However, a cross appeal has been lodged by the Six Nations disciplinary officer which could mean the ban being lengthened if Flannery is not successful.

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Kidney gives Sexton first Six Nations start

Jonathan Sexton will make his first Six Nations start in Saturday's clash with England after replacing Ronan O'Gara at fly-half as one of four changes made by Ireland boss Declan Kidney.

As expected Leicester full-back Geordan Murphy comes in for the injured Rob Kearney while the suspended Jerry Flannery is replaced by Rory Best.

In the second row, Donncha O'Callaghan partners his Munster teammate Paul O’Connell as Leo Cullen drops to the bench.

Sexton was widely tipped to replace O’Gara before the start of the Championship after his cool performances during the autumn internationals but injury intervened.

However Sexton has forced his way back in the No.10 shirt after a storming performance in Leinster’s recent defeat of the Scarlets scoring 22 of his side’s 27 points.

O’Gara drops to the unfamiliar role of bench warmer, where he replaces Ulster’s Paddy Wallace, and is sat alongside the now fit Andrew Trimble.

Ireland team to face England: Murphy, Bowe, O'Driscoll, D'Arcy, Earls, Sexton, O'Leary, Healy, Best, Hayes, O'Callaghan, O'Connell, Ferris, Wallace, Heaslip

Replacements: Cronin, Buckley, Cullen, Jennings, Reddan, O'Gara, Trimble

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