Normally it would sound highly insulting for a tennis captain to wish that his number one player had retired years ago. But put in context Ireland's Davis Cup boss Peter Wright only meant well when commenting on Owen Casey ahead of today's crucial tie with Monaco at Riverview.

Wright believes Casey's game has improved since retiring from the professional circuit. "Owen has never played as well during his pro career. The pressures of circuit have been lifted off him and as a result he is a much better player now," he said.

Wright views the Monaco match as one with all the ingredients for a tense and close tie with a great deal at stake. His biggest fear is relegation to the obscurity of the Euro African Zone group three where high temperatures and illness rather that basic team strengths tend to be the main factors in deciding matches.

Harvard scholarship player John Doran, the number two singles player faces Monaco number one Christophe Bossio.

Doran is subbed up for singles action in place of the injured Scott Barron. "We are fortunate to have John. He is a very good sub and he can make a big victory in a most important rubber," says Wright.

Casey (28) reckons that Ireland have three advantages - "the surface ( artificial grass ) a home match and the way we are playing." He takes on Monaco's number two Sabastien Graeff and partners Tommy Hamilton in the doubles.

Ireland will be trying to avoid a repeat of the 1986 meeting between the two countries in Monte Carlo. On that occasion Matt Doyle and Sean Sorensen had established a 2-0 lead after the singles but lost the tie 3-2.