Six Nations 2013: Ronan O'Gara's Ireland career could be over
Last updated on .From the section Rugby Union
Ronan O'Gara's Ireland career looks to be over after the fly-half was left out of a 32-man squad for the Six Nations game against France in Dublin.
O'Gara has struggled for form in recent weeks and Paddy Jackson was selected ahead of him for the defeat by Scotland after Jonathan Sexton was out injured.
Sexton has not yet been ruled out of Saturday's game, but Jackson and Ian Madigan have both been named as cover.
Andrew Trimble is back in the extended squad, with Robbie Diack also included.
The omission of O'Gara represents a major call by Irish coach Declan Kidney, who is under severe pressure after Ireland lost two of their opening three games.
Munster fly-half O'Gara is Ireland's most capped player with 128 appearances and also his country's all-time top points scorer on 1,083.
He won his first cap against Scotland in February 2000 and has been a key-part of the Ireland set-up ever since.
Sexton is still in contention to face the French as he continues his battle to overcome a hamstring strain, which ruled him out of the match at Murrayfield.
Last week Irish team manager Michael Kearney described Sexton's hopes of playing as "somewhat less than 50-50".
His replacement Jackson struggled with his goal kicking against the Scots but the Ulster youngster performed well in his province's Pro12 draw with Benetton Treviso on Friday.
Prop Cian Healy is back in the panel after winning an appeal against the timing of his ban, but Dave Kilcoyne remains in the squad, while Ulster's Tom Court drops out.
Lock Donnacha Ryan is included despite still struggling with a shoulder injury while his fellow second row Mike McCarthy continues to nurse the knee problem which ruled him out of the Scotland defeat.
Wing Craig Gilroy sustained a groin strain at Murrayfield but should be able to resume training early next week.
However, Gordon D'Arcy's foot injury will be remain in a protective boot for another week so he is ruled out of the French game.
Winger Trimble has been out of favour since the autumn internationals but has been handed an international lifeline with his inclusion in the squad.
The Ulsterman could put pressure on Keith Earls for a starting place ahead of the contest with the French at the Aviva Stadium.
Diack is selected for a Six Nations squad for the first time, but is unlikely to figure in the matchday 23, with his provincial team-mate Dan Tuohy also named.
Ireland's successive Six Nations defeats have led to intense speculation that Kidney's Ireland contract will not be extended beyond this summer but the coach has continued to deflect questions about his future.
Kidney has also come under fire for handing the captaincy to Jamie Heaslip, who replaced the vastly experienced Brian O'Driscoll as skipper before the Championship, but the coach has reiterated his faith in the Leinster number eight.
"Jamie's done an excellent job for us. He's making good decisions and I'm very happy with him," Kidney said.
Ireland squad: Rory Best (Ulster), Sean Cronin (Leinster), Robbie Diack (Ulster), Keith Earls (Munster), Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster), Declan Fitzpatrick (Ulster), Craig Gilroy (Ulster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Iain Henderson (Ulster), Paddy Jackson (Ulster), Dave Kearney (Leinster), Rob Kearney (Leinster), David Kilcoyne (Munster), Ian Madigan (Leinster), Luke Marshall (Ulster), Mike McCarthy (Connacht), Fergus McFadden (Leinster), Conor Murray (Munster), Sean O'Brien (Leinster), Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster), Tommy O'Donnell (Munster), Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster), Peter O'Mahony (Munster), Eoin O'Malley (Leinster), Eoin Reddan (Leinster), Mike Ross (Leinster), Donnacha Ryan (Munster), Jonathan Sexton (Leinster), Andrew Trimble (Ulster), Devin Toner (Leinster) Dan Tuohy (Ulster).
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The constant English crying about the Healy stamp is getting embarrassing now. It was a foul piece of play, he got cited, get over it. Saying that he shouldn't go on the lions tour is just absurd. Guess Hartley (biting, forearm smash), Lawes (knee drop), Flood (tip tackle), Ashton (hair pulling), Tuilagi (punches to a head), Ben Youngs (kneeing) + many more all shouldn't go as well?
in the biggest game of his career, he scored the winning drop goal.
your point doesn't really stand up. .
He may have girl’s legs but he is a true legend
He can’t tackle but is brave enough to go out there when he knows every opposition team is targeting him
He has won games for Ireland and Munster that they would otherwise have lost
Sadly he can’t go on forever (unlike Giggsy)
Bored of the Healy discussion now. Yes, he should have been banned for longer but to say he shouldn't be picked for the Lions is laughable. I don't remember many England fans having a problem with Tuilagi being included in their World Cup squad after punching Ashton in the face.
for the many hours of pleasure he has given to this English rugby fan
who always supported the Irish team as well _
it has been an amazing journey_ watching both himself and his old captain Brian O'Driscoll _ many good memories and much admiration!
thank you again _ All The Very Best for the future & Take Good Care
Bets of luck from a Welshman.
In the meantime his replacement as a specialist no.13 needs to be found and developed.
Darren Cave would be the obvious choice for me as opposed to any utility players, however it's no surprise that Kidney fails to see beyond the end of his nose as usual.
emm ok, so should humphreys still be our no.10???
in 03, ROG was coming on in tight games and kicking us to victory, remember his drop goal v wales that year too?
humphreys moved on (or was moved on) at the right time. .
(i'm from ulster)