Gavin Walsh has been cleared to take his place in the A international against Scotland at Donnybrook today (5.0). The Garryowen prop was sent off in a league match against Clontarf last week, deemed guilty of persistently infringing in dropping the scrum. Pat Whelan confirmed that the sending off was deemed a sufficient punishment.
Walsh's good fortune was tempered by the late withdrawal of Ballymena wing James Topping through injury. He is replaced by clubmate Jan Cunningham. The match marks an opportunity to discern the strength in depth within the national squad and to evaluate the claims of several individuals for the ultimate honour.
Kevin Nowlan and Darragh O'Mahony, both of whom can be considered unfortunate to have been dropped from the senior team after the Italy game, should cherish the opportunity to convince the selectors in time for the French match.
Paul Burke has enjoyed excellent form for Bristol recently. His partner at half-back, last year's under-21 scrum-half Stephen Bell, is a big, strong athlete who looks to involve all those in his vicinity.
Justin Fitzpatrick is another given a second chance to improve upon a first impression, while Mick Galwey has, understandably, been rewarded for a series of outstanding displays for Shannon.
Brian Cusack offers a primary ball winner out of touch, while it will be interesting to note how the backrow gels: Alan Quinlan and Dylan O'Grady offer great flexibility, David Erskine, a talent with many facets. He would dearly love to rediscover the form that made him an outstanding figure on the Development tour of New Zealand.
The Irish side boasts eight internationals, a number that their opponents can match. The Scots are led by the excellent Melrose scrum-half, Bryan Redpath: centre Graham Shiel and out-half Duncan Hodge have also been capped. Prop Peter Wright, hooker Kelvin McKenzie, second row Scott Murray and the breakaway duo of Eric Peters and Scott Reid provide an experienced spine to the pack.
The Scots should have won last year at Watsonians, they were denied by Niall Woods, who poached an intercept try in the dying minutes. Traditionally, matches at this level between the teams have been characterised by open rugby, where the ball travels through the hand rather than the air. This evening should be no exception.
In the under-21 international at Castle Avenue (2.30) Ireland will be attempting to maintain a proud record of never having lost to the Scots at this level. They retain three players from last season: out-half Ronan O'Gara, hooker Frankie Sheahan, who captained the side last year, and the man who succeeds him, Blackrock College's hugely-gifted Leo Cullen.
Injury has denied the selectors the precocious Sheldon Coulter in the centre, but the three-quarter line still offers pace and power with fullback Tom Keating equally adept with or without the ball.
Props Marcus Horan and Martin Cahill offer so much more than solidity in the scrums, while the backrow appears another strong area given the presence of Lansdowne senior player Aidan McCullen and former Irish Schools' captain Barry Gibney.
The Scots have already beaten Italy 41-17 this season and must feel that their losing streak will come to an end soon. They boast half a dozen of last year's team and the great grandson of former English prime minister William Gladstone, Fergie Gladstone, operates out of the backrow.
Meanwhile, the Irish Universities begin the defence of the Triple Crown they won last year against their Scottish counterparts at Anglesea Road at 2.30 p.m.
