A team poised for success

Grand Slam is not a phrase bandied about in Irish rugby circles, so even the merest suggestion that this achievement is feasible is greeted with polite, if circumspect, appraisal of the fixture list. Despite the inherent modesty of a management team that guided Ireland to a Triple Crown success last season, they are aware that this current crop of players is laden with talent.

Ireland face Wales in the under-21 international at Virginia Park, Caerphilly today, hoping to embark on the second leg of a clean sweep in this age category. Having already rewritten the history books with their inaugural success over France, in three attempts, a fortnight ago in Cork, they have demonstrated their pedigree.

This collection of young talent knows only success in their fledgling rugby careers. The bulk come from Leinster and Irish Schools teams that cut a swathe through Australia in successive summers, on the latter occasion achieving a first Test victory over the Wallabies. The mantle of favourites and the weight of expectation sit comfortably on broad shoulders.

They showed great resilience and self belief to beat the French and that character will be required again to overcome today's opponents. Wales have already beaten Scotland and represent a formidable prospect when playing in the valleys: there is never very much between the two countries. Ireland should be a match for their opponents physically, an important factor.

Two years ago, Wales intimidated Ireland in Brigend, using the boot and the fist initially to subdue the visitors. As Ireland proved against the French they are capable of standing up for themselves. It was the pack that laid the foundation for victory, particularly second row Robert Casey.

The Blackrock player was a colossus out of touch, assisted by hooker Peter Smyth's accuracy, and provided the platform from which Ireland launched an effective rolling maul. Captain and number eight Leo Cullen provided the direction and the whole pack, the work ethic. One area of concern was the scrummaging and one presumes that coach Brian McLaughlin has worked hard to rectify that shortcoming.

He will be looking for a sharper performance from half-backs Peter Stringer and Bryn Cunningham, the latter under pressure from Garryowen out-half Jeremy Staunton who came on with seven minutes remaining against the French and scored a great try. Cunningham will hope to reward the selectors' faith.

The three-quarter line rarely received possession, so Brian O'Driscoll's obvious quality was limited to one or two snatches of excellence, but the tackling was assured and that again will be a primary factor. David Quinlan and Tom Keating are not natural wingers but Quinlan in particular showed great maturity and concentration.

Leicester's Geordan Murphy offered glimpses of his ability to beat the tackler the last day and Ireland will be hoping to offer him greater scope in attack. He appeared to have little difficulty with the place-kicking duties.

Wales include promising scrumhalf Gareth Cooper, a first choice at Bath, and Steve Jones who played in this season's European Cup for Llanelli against Leinster. London Welsh's Martin Giraud is a sprint champion, so he will have to be closed down quickly.

It's another tough assignment for this talented group of Irish players but they have demonstrated the aptitude to overcome these obstacles.

WALES: C Morgan (Cardiff); S Greenaway (Brigend), M Watkins (Newport), D Hawkins (Bouymaen), M Giraud (London Welsh); S Jones (Llanelli, capt), G Cooper (Bath); D Jones (Neath), G Williams (UWIC), D Sweet (Wywswbwl); A Newman (Northampton), D Jones (Bath); A Popham (Newport), G Thomas (Brigend), N Bon- ner-Evans (Newport).

IRELAND: G Murphy (Leicester); D Quinlan (Blackrock), K Hartigan (Garryowen), B O'Driscoll (UCD), T Keating (Blackrock); B Cunningham (Bective Rangers), P Stringer (UCC); M Horan (Shannon), P Smyth (St Mary's), S Best (Newcastle); R Casey (Blackrock), M O'Driscoll (UCC); P Neville (Old Crescent), L Cullen (Blackrock, capt), R Woods (Dublin University).