Rugby-Ireland stick with familiar faces for Australia test

DUBLIN, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Ireland coach Declan Kidney has retained all but two of his grand slam-winning side for Sunday's international against Australia.

Injured prop Marcus Horan and dropped centre Gordon D'Arcy are the only names absent from the team that won Ireland's first grand slam since 1948 with March's last-gasp victory over Wales.

Rapidly improving Leinster prop Cian Healy, who turned 21 last month, will make his debut in place of Horan after the Munster man was ruled out for the rest of the year with a head injury.

Ulster's utility back Paddy Wallace, fresh from recent starts at his preferred position of inside centre, takes the place of Healy's Leinster team mate D'Arcy who has struggled for form with the Heineken Cup champions this season.

Munster's Jerry Flannery, the only other major doubt for the game, has overcome a calf injury to start at hooker, ahead of the uncapped Sean Cronin.

Leinster's increasingly impressive outhalf Jonathan Sexton also moved a step closer to a first appearance with a place among the replacements.

Australia, who opened their Grand Slam tour with an 18-9 victory over England at Twickenham on Saturday, name their team later on Wednesday.

(Reporting by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Ken Ferris; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)