Rugby:Barring any late setback, Rory Best will take his place in the Irish front row for Saturday's World Cup quarter-final against Wales. The hooker was a doubt for the match after he sprained the AC joint on his right shoulder during last weekend's win over Italy.
Best’s selection will allow coach Declan Kidney keep consistency in the side that defeated Italy in the last Pool match as Ireland face into their most important game of rugby in modern times.
Although Sean Cronin, who is named among the replacements, is seen as an effective unit in the middle of the front row, the Ulsterman has been playing the best rugby of his career in New Zealand.
First capped in 2005, Best is also one of the most senior players in Kidney’s side and along side Cian Healy at loose head and Mike Ross at tighthead, Ireland, as they demonstrated against the powerful Italian pack, has become one of the most formidable frontrow units at the tournament.
Best’s throwing to the lineout, graft around the pitch in making tackles and technical work in the set piece has been eyecatching throughout Ireland’s pool matches.
He will scrum down against Wales’ Gethin Jenkins, Huw Bennet and Paul James, Wales coach preferring Jenkins to James despite the loosehead prop having recently returned from long term injury.
Munster’s Mike Sherry, a replacement hooker, is expected to arrive in New Zealand today. Sherry is the second hooker called into the Ireland squad since the tournament began with Shane Varley coming in after Jerry
Flannery tore his left calf muscle at training before their match against Tri-Nations champions Australia.
Wales: L Halfpenny, G North, J Davies, J Roberts, S Williams, R Priestland, M Phillips, T Faletau, S Warburton (C), D Lydiate, A Wyn Jones, L Charteris, A Jones, H Bennett, G Jenkins. Replacements: L Burns, P James, B Davies, R Jones, L Williams, J Hook, S Williams.
Ireland: R Kearney; T Bowe, B O’Driscoll, G D’Arcy; R O’Gara, C Murray; C Healy, R Best, M Ross, D O’Callaghan, P O’Connell, S Ferris, S O’Brien, J Heaslip. Replacements-S Cronon, T Court, D Ryan, D Leamy, E Reddan, J Sexton, A Trimble
