Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has named an unchanged side for Saturday's RBS Six Nations showdown with Wales at the Millennium Stadium. Despite a disappointing 26-19 defeat at the hands of the French, O'Sullivan has given the side a vote of confidence.
"I don't think the performance was as bad as the media made out," O'Sullivan told BBC Sport.
"They played badly yes, but on saying that they nearly pulled the game out of the hat against a good French team."
O'Sullivan is hoping that the players will now put the defeat behind them as they attempt to derail the Welsh from their Grand Slam destination.
''It's funny in that you win by a point everything is right; you lose by a point and everything's wrong. That's a little harsh,'' said O'Sullivan.
''The players were really annoyed with themselves,'' said O'Sullivan who keeps the same starting formation for the first time in the Championship.
''But they are over it. They are in good shape now.''
O'Sullivan's chances of making any changes were thwarted by the continued unavailability of centre duo Shane Horgan and Gordon D'Arcy.
It means a 69th cap for Ulster's Kevin Maggs who will again partner Ireland captain and record try-scorer Brian O'Driscoll in midfield.
Ireland: G Murphy; G Dempsey, B O'Driscoll, capt, K Maggs, D Hickie; R O'Gara, P Stringer; R Corrigan, S Byrne, J Hayes, M O'Kelly, P O'Connell, S Easterby, J O'Connor, A Foley.
Replacements: F Sheahan, M Horan, D O'Callaghan, E Miller, G Easterby, D Humphreys, G Duffy.
MMIX
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