McLaughlin given debut as Ireland open defence

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Ireland coach Declan Kidney will give Kevin McLaughlin his international debut at home to Italy on Saturday, thrusting the Leinster flanker into the first game of the Six Nations champions title defence.

Without the injured Stephen Ferris, a key performer in last year's first Grand Slam since 1948, Kidney surprisingly gave the 25-year-old McLaughlin the nod ahead of fellow in-form Leinster backrower Sean O'Brien.

"I wouldn't say I'm shocked. I felt like I had a chance coming into this week," a relaxed McLaughlin said.

"Obviously, it's a big step up for me this weekend but I'm going to treat it like any other game and just get on with it and play my game on Saturday."

The anticipated tussle between Jonathan Sexton and Ronan O'Gara for Ireland's number 10 shirt was put on hold for a week after Kidney said Leinster's Sexton had been ruled out after pulling up in training on Monday with a dead leg.

Gordon D'Arcy also edged out Paddy Wallace to resume his centre partnership with captain Brian O'Driscoll while forgotten Ulsterman Andrew Trimble was chosen ahead of Keith Earls to fill in for the injured Luke Fitzgerald on the left wing.

"I think in trying to build a squad you try not to get to the place where it's a preferred 15 in the game of rugby because anybody at any stage can pick up a bang or a knock," Kidney told a news conference.

"If you stop and wait for guys to get back, you'll never move forward."

McLaughlin's selection continues a remarkable few months for the imposing number six whose first three years with Heineken Cup champions Leinster were blighted by a series of shoulder and knee injuries.

He only managed four starts for the province before this season but broke through following the departure of Australia's Rocky Elsom and has kept former English Premiership player of the year Shane Jennings out in the cold for club and country.

(Editing by Ken Ferris)