Ciaran Scally, the 22-year-old Leinster reserve scrum-half, is the surprise inclusion in the 28-man Irish rugby squad which will assemble next Sunday night in Finnstown House for the second three-day get-together of the season.
The UCD-based member of the IRFU's Academy has had little chance to shine in Leinster's colours this season, being limited to just three short appearances as a replacement in the games against Edinburgh Reivers, Connacht and Stade Francais.
However, he's big and strong, is a good reader of the game with a consistent pass, and made a big impression on Warren Gatland in the Academy's win over the Canadian under-21s last month as well as in the Leinster A v Connacht A game.
"This is a good chance for us to have a look at another option in this position, with Brian O'Meara injured," explained Gatland yesterday. "We've been happy with Derek Hegarty's form for Leinster but we just want to have a closer look at Ciaran over the three days next week. It could be that we'll then call in Derek or someone else for the squad session after that."
Indeed, the squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Romania on November 14th and 21st is far from cast in stone.
Additional players may be added to this squad following next Friday's final round of Inteprovincials. Furthermore, contrary to indications last week, another squad of 28 players or so for the November 1st-3rd squad sessions in Cork will be named next week before the World Cup qualifying squad is then finalised.
Nonetheless, the vast bulk of yesterday's selection, say 20 to 22, are likely to form the basis of the World Cup qualifying squad. Nor, allowing for the intriguing selection of Scally apart, can there be few surprises or quibbles about this 28-man squad.
Due to injury, some players have admittedly been included more on past achievement than recent performances - ie, the relatively idle James Topping, Eric Elwood, Reggie Corrigan, Jeremy Davidson, Eric Miller and Dion O'Cuinneagain, who have played about six meaningful matches between them this season. But that was always liable to be the case.
Aside from Topping, Darragh O'Mahony has been included despite his recent injudicious critique of the Irish management, thereby resulting in no place for the dropped Leinster wing Denis Hickie - who has yet to rediscover his form as Ireland's leading try scorer last season - or Richard Wallace, or, er, Niall Woods (five tries and 106 points in six games for London Irish).
Pat Duignan's pacey performance for Connacht on Saturday and generally more potent form and experience nailed down his place ahead of Shane Horgan as one of four centres in the absence of the injured Mark McCall.
The six front-row selections adhere to the lines drawn up on the South African tour, though it would be no surprise to see a change here over the next two squad announcements, while Davidson's inclusion results in Gabriel Fulcher's omission.
Kieron Dawson has been left out, as have the Munster back-rowers, so leaving only the old warhorses of Mick Galwey and Peter Clohessy representing Munster in the squad. Hence, the Irish management have probably done Declan Kidney a favour, and saved him any need for a teamtalk come tea-time in the Donnybrook visitors' dressing-room next Friday.
Leinster coach Mike Ruddock has announced a 29-man squad for that interpro decider against Munster due to injuries to Martin Ridge, Angus McKeen, Gabriel Fulcher and Victor Costello.
Despite fears that Costello may have damaged his rib cartilage, Ruddock remains reasonably optimistic that all will be declared fit. The starting line-up is unlikely to be finalised before Friday.
Connacht have made two changes in their team for Friday's finale against Ulster, where a much coveted top-two place could await the winners depending on how the bonus points pan out. Winger Nigel Carolan has been restored at the expense of Russell Southam, while Ian Dillon, an original selection before withdrawing from Connacht's last two outings, has again been picked due to Shane McEntee being unavailable. Glenn Ross has yet to finalise the out-half position, though he expects Simon Allnutt to be declared fit in time.
