Gordon D'Arcy hands Ireland fitness boost

RBS Six Nations: Ireland v Scotland
Venue: Croke Park Date: Saturday, 20 March 2010 Kick-off: 1700 GMT
Coverage: Watch on BBC One, BBC HD channel and the BBC Sport website; listen on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra and local radio; text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles

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Gordon D'Arcy has been passed fit to face Scotland

Gordon D'Arcy has been cleared to start Ireland's RBS Six Nations clash against Scotland at Croke Park on Saturday.

The centre sustained heavy bruising above his left knee in Saturday's 27-12 victory over Wales and was considered a doubt for the final Triple Crown tilt.

"Gordon is fit. He trained yesterday and again this morning so he's ready to play," said Irish coach Declan Kidney.

D'Arcy will line up alongside Brian O'Driscoll for the fifth and final time this championship at Croke Park.

The 30-year-old has re-established himself as first-choice at inside centre following a year-long rivalry with Paddy Wallace, who was on standby to replace him.

While he has scored just five tries in 47 Test appearances, D'Arcy remains a key member of Ireland's backline and his recovery is a significant boost to the team.

Ireland will parade an unchanged side as they aim to complete the Triple Crown in Dublin.

Ireland eye Triple Crown success

Keith Earls, who scored two tries against the Welsh, is also named in the starting line-up despite experiencing tight calves after Saturday's game.

Coach Declan Kidney has insisted that a fifth Triple Crown in seven seasons will be another notable achievement for Ireland's golden generation of players.

"For us Saturday is a final. Being a bit older than the players, I came through two decades when we never won anything," said Kidney.

"We're playing Scotland next week in a one-off Test match which we see as a final.

606: DEBATE Comment on Ireland's Six Nations game against Scotland

"The GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) have been hugely supportive of us while we've been at Croke Park and maybe we can pay them due respect by playing our last match here as if it's a final.

"The Scots are known for ruining Irish parties and they'll want to do that once more.

"The great thing about the Six Nations is that no two games are ever alike and they all present different challenges."

The Irish lie second in the Six Nations table and two points behind France, who beat Italy 46-20 on Sunday.

Ireland will play Scotland almost three hours before France host England in the tournament finale.

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Ireland: G Murphy; T Bowe, B O'Driscoll, G D'Arcy, K Earls; J Sexton, T O'Leary; C Healy, R Best, J Hayes; D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell; S Ferris, D Wallace, J Heaslip.
Replacements: S Cronin, T Buckley, L Cullen, S Jennings, E Reddan, R O'Gara, R Kearney.