Keith gets 13 jersey for 6 Nations opener

KEITH Earls will start at outside centre with Gordon D'Arcy at 12 for Ireland's opening Six Nations game against Wales in the Aviva Stadium on Sunday (3.00).

Munster back-row Peter O'Mahony makes a major step forward by being named on the bench while Donnacha O'Callaghan will partner skipper Paul O'Connell in the second-row.

Ulster's Andrew Trimble is on the left wing while Johnny Sexton starts at number ten in place of Ronan O'Gara with Garryowen's Conor Murray at scrum-half.

The Irish team is: Rob Kearney; Tommy Bowe, Keith Earls, Gordon D'Arcy, Andrew Trimble; Cian Healy, Rory Best, Mike Ross; Donnacha O'Callaghan, Paul O'Connell; Stephen Ferris, Sean O'Brien, Jamie Heaslip. Replacements: Sean Cronin, Tom Croft, Donnacha Ryan, Peter O'Mahony, Ronan O'Gara, Eoin Reddan, Fergus McFadden.