Kidney faces selection dilemma

Published: Monday, 22. August, 2011 in category Ireland
Kidney: Problems at full-back

Kidney names his party for New Zealand at lunchtime on Monday with most of the names picking themselves.

But the identity of who will supply back-up to Rob Kearney in the number 15 jersey is unknown, with the decision potentially having repercussions for the back three.

Felix Jones, who had an outside chance of making the squad, has been ruled out of contention after sustaining a foot injury in Saturday's 26-22 defeat by France.

Geordan Murphy was picked to play for the second string against Connacht in midweek, so it would take a U-turn for Kidney to turn to the Leicester three-quarter now.

Luke Fitzgerald and Keith Earls are options, though neither are specialists in the position.

Openside David Wallace was withdrawn from the team to face France at Aviva Stadium because of a hamstring strain, but is expected to be fit.

His fellow back row Stephen Ferris, a destructive blindside when fit, is sure to be included after negotiating 20 minutes yesterday.

Hooker Jerry Flannery, who has been dogged by calf injuries for the past year, will also travel after playing 60 minutes across three games so far this month.

Once Kidney has unveiled his squad, he must turn his attention to halting a run of three successive defeats.

England complete Ireland's pre-World Cup schedule when they visit Dublin on Saturday and Flannery accepts the match has now assumed greater significance.

"Last weekend in Bordeaux we were pleased that we finished strongly against France," said Flannery.

"Things seemed to be coming right and we thought 'we'll apply it to next week'.

"But we can't keep saying next week, next week. It's professional rugby and we're judged on results.

"You have to get it right sooner or later. We were too sloppy for periods and the French exploited that.

"The result against England was always going to important, regardless of what happened against France. It was always going to be huge.

"But for us things have been heightened a little bit because we've had three losses on the bounce.

"We're trying to go into the World Cup in a good frame of mind and that will be based on victory."