O'Gara gets Ireland axe

Ireland's most-capped player Ronan O'Gara has been left out the Six Nations squad to face France in Dublin on Saturday, raising more doubts over the 36-year-old's international future.

The veteran flyhalf was ignored by coach Declan Kidney when the 32-man squad was revealed for Saturday's clash, a blow which looks certain to end his 128-Test career.

O'Gara has struggled for form this season, looking well below-par in the games against England and Scotland where he shouldered a large share of the blame for the 12-8 defeat after coming on as a second-half replacement.

Kidney has selected injury-hit Jonathan Sexton, Paddy Jackson and Ian Madigan as his three flyhalf options.

Jackson made his debut against Scotland but struggled with his goal-kicking before making way for O'Gara.

Ireland: Rory Best, Sean Cronin, Robbie Diack, Keith Earls, Luke Fitzgerald, Declan Fitzpatrick, Craig Gilroy, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Iain Henderson, Paddy Jackson, Dave Kearney, Rob Kearney, David Kilcoyne, Ian Madigan, Luke Marshall, Mike McCarthy, Fergus McFadden, Conor Murray, Sean O'Brien, Donncha O'Callaghan, Tommy O'Donnell, Brian O'Driscoll, Peter O'Mahony, Eoin O'Malley, Eoin Reddan, Mike Ross, Donnacha Ryan, Jonathan Sexton, Andrew Trimble, Devin Toner Dan Tuohy.

AFP