Ostensibly an exercise in individual assessment, it is envisaged that the sums of the parts might help Ireland arrest a disappointing run against England at A international level when the two countries meet at Donnybrook today (5.0). The Irish side has undergone severe surgery since the defeat to Wales in Ebbw Vale, restoring a couple of players who withdrew through injury and replacing one or two others.
Lansdowne duo Gordon D'Arcy and Reggie Corrigan are both injured while a third member of the club, out-half Barry Everitt, was reinstated to the starting line-up following Killian Keane's promotion to the senior squad. Ulster's prolific full back, Simon Mason, is afforded an opportunity to show that he has more to offer at this level than his magnificent place-kicking.
Galwegians centre Mervyn Murphy has been brought into midfield to strengthen defensive capabilities and to offer a target to the back-row when taking the ball into contact. His partner in midfield, Shane Horgan, will be looking for an improved performance, not in commitment but in the basic skills when in possession. A raw talent certainly, but one who should be developing in a measured manner.
John McWeeney and Niall Woods will provide a cutting edge on the wing so it is incumbent on Everitt to remove himself from the comfort zone, inside which he has been dwelling, and utilise his undoubted ability in a positive way. The production line of talented young out-halves is in good order so Everitt may not be afforded too many more opportunities.
Guy Easterby was impressive in snatches the last day, but the selectors have decided to offer Tom Tierney a serious examination at scrum-half this time. Corrigan's absence allows a first A cap for Buccaneers's man mountain Jimmy Screene and it will be interesting to note his aptitude for this standard of fare. John Hayes's scrumagging remains a problem so he continues on the bench. Mark Blair is unfortunate to lose his place in the second row, but Gabriel Fulcher has offered a glimmer of his former excellence in recent matches. Arguably the two most unfortunate individuals from the Welsh game are flankers Alan Quinlan and David Wallace, two of the better performers that day. However they cannot even make the bench for this match as the pecking order is restored with Trevor Brennan and Eddie Halvey back in the back-row alongside Anthony Foley.
There will be keen interest in the respective displays of Brennan and Halvey, both of whom should feel that they have something to prove. Allen Clarke's team oppose a very strong English team which includes gargantuan former Great Britain rugby league international Barry John Mather in the centre and Spencer Brown, an excellent finisher. Mark Mapletoft an Irish nemesis in the past is at out-half. Up front there is the considerable ability and experience of Gareth Archer, Rob Fidler, Ben Clarke and Tony Diprose as well as promising newcomers in Trevor Woodman and Richmond flanker Adam Vander.
There are no fewer than three London Irish players on the bench for England, South African-born Nick Burrows, New Zealander Richard Kirke and Neil Hateley. An entertaining, high-scoring encounter is anticipated in keeping with recent previous encounters. Anything other than an English victory would constitute a surprise.
Ireland: S Mason (Ballymena); J McWeeney (St Mary's), S Horgan (Lansdowne), M Murphy (Galwegians), N Woods (London Irish); B Everitt (Lansdowne), T Tierney (Garryowen); J Screene (Buccaneers), A Clarke (Dungannon, capt), A McKeen (Lansdowne); G Fulcher (Lansdowne), G Longwell (Ballymena); T Brennan (St Mary's), A Foley (Shannon), E Halvey (Shannon).
England: C Catling (Gloucester); S Hanley (Sale), J Ewings (Bedford), BJ Mather (Sale), S Brown (Richmond); M Mapletoft (Gloucester), N Walshe (Harlequins); T Woodman (Gloucester), G Schuter (Saracens), W Green (Wasps); R Fidler (Gloucester), G Archer (Newcastle); B Clarke (Richmond), T Diprose (Saracens, capt), A Vander (Richmond).
