Cambridge University student Michael Haslett, a son of former Ireland A coach Davy, has been named at openside flanker for tomorrow's opening SANZAR Invitational Championship clash against France at Buenos Aires Cricket and Rugby Club.
Haslett prevailed in a tight selection issue over former schools international Andrew Hughes, primarily because of the pitch conditions for Saturday's game. The Irish management favoured Haslett's ability to spoil opposition possession, thus slowing down ball at source: a pre-requisite against the French.
The young Ulsterman is a late convert to the openside role as just three years ago he played prop on the Ireland under-19 side, coincidentally here in Argentina at the FIRA World Championships. The selectors resisted the temptation to switch Garryowen's Paul Neville to the number seven jersey and employing Donnacha O'Callaghan on the blindside flank.
The Cork Constitution flanker will have to content himself with a place on the bench: the full set of replacements will not be finalised until after training later today. UCC's Jerry Flannery has edged out Adrian Flavin of London Irish for the hooking berth in a team assembled along familiar lines.
Tom Keating is named at fullback with David Quinlan on the right wing and Shane Horgan joining Kevin Hartigan in the centre. Jeremy Staunton will undertake the place-kicking duties in the absence of Geordan Murphy, Ireland's regular place-kicker during the Six Nations.
The Irish squad enjoyed two training sessions yesterday, although `enjoyed' is something of a misnomer as they were forced to train on a surface that made the back pitch at Donnybrook look like a manicured lawn. But despite the puddles and the cloying mud, the sessions went well with few dropped passes.
The focus was firmly on setpiece play, extensive scrummaging and line-out variations preoccupying the forwards. The afternoon centred on team dynamics and coach Brian McLaughlin was pleased with both the commitment and application.
The team will have a light runout at Buenos Aires Cricket and Rugby Club today with placekicking practice also on the agenda.
Irish Team
T Keating (Blackrock College); D Quinlan (Blackrock College), S Horgan (Lansdowne), K Hartigan (Garryowen), J Davis (Dungannon); J Staunton (Garryowen), K Campbell (London Irish); S Baretto (Terenure College), J Flannery (UCC), S Best (Newcastle); M O'Driscoll (UCC), R Casey (Blackrock College); P Neville (Garryowen), L Cullen (Blackrock College) capt, M Haslett (Cambridge University).
