Six Nations 2013: Ireland select unchanged line-up

Gordon D'Arcy

Ireland have named an unchanged line-up for Sunday's Six Nations game against England in Dublin.

Injury concerns Gordon D'Arcy and Peter O'Mahony are fit to play after playing a full part in training on Friday.

Keith Earls has also overcome the knock he sustained in the win over Wales and is again on the replacements' bench.

"I expect Saturday's game to be another level up as both teams have a game under their belt," said Irish coach Declan Kidney.

"We looked at each position in the team individually but decided that the way the players went last week they were deserving of another go.

"Playing England is a huge challenge - they are strong in all areas and were very clinical against Scotland.

"They can adapt to different types of game and I have been emphasising that we need an 80-minute performance at Test level," he added.

D'Arcy had been bothered by a dead leg while Earls had been struggling with a shoulder strain.

Flanker O'Mahony was treated for concussion after the weekend win in Cardiff but is retained in the side, with Chris Henry again among the replacements.

Brian O'Driscoll, Rob Kearney and Mike Ross have all overcome more minor niggles.

The ailments in the Ireland camp led Kidney to put back the announcement of the team from Wednesday to Friday afternoon.

England recorded a thumping 30-9 victory when the sides met at Twickenham last year and this clash is already being billed as a potential Championship decider.

"We got off to a good start in Cardiff but we are striving to be a consistently good side," said Ireland skipper Jamie Heaslip.

Ireland: R Kearney; C Gilroy, B O'Driscoll, G D'Arcy, S Zebo; J Sexton, C Murray; C Healy, R Best, M Ross; M McCarthy, D Ryan; P O'Mahony, S O'Brien, J Heaslip.

Replacements: S Cronin, D Kilcoyne, D Fitzpatrick, D O'Callaghan, C Henry, E Reddan, R O'Gara, K Earls.