Dempsey back in line for left wing berth

The return of Girvan Dempsey on the left wing, at the expense of Niall Woods, is the only change to the Ireland squad for Saturday week's Five Nations Championship clash with England at Lansdowne Road. The Terenure College wing was an original choice for the Wales game, but cried off with a bruised hip.

Woods deputised, but he returns to the shadow national side for Friday week's A international at Donnybrook. Confined to the occasional flourish in possession and the odd moment of uncertainty in defence, it was unlikely that he would retain his position over Dempsey.

Compounding Woods' tenuous grip on the left wing berth was the exemplary place kicking of outhalf David Humphreys, who contributed 19 points. Irish coach Warren Gatland pointed out: "If Niall had scored two or three tries and made four or five turnover tackles, then he might have forced his way in, but Girvan hasn't done anything wrong."

Otherwise the squad remains unaltered from that chosen for the Welsh game, although the Irish team management will have to deliberate a little longer over the composition of the back row.

Andy Ward missed the French game with knee ligament damage, while Victor Costello was not deemed fit enough to guarantee selection early last week when the team for the Wembley match was announced. His rib cartilage damage had healed sufficiently to take his place on the bench and indeed he came on late in the 29-23 victory, replacing Eric Miller.

Ward, Costello, Miller and Dion O'Cuinneagain (outstanding in both matches), will vie for the three places, and it may come down to who plays number eight, Costello or Miller? Gatland, who has reviewed last Saturday's match, says the main positive aspect to emerge was the reaction of the team when Wales closed the gap to three points in the second half.

"When we came under pressure at the end I was pleased with the manner in which we re-grouped and got back on top. That showed character and I think it was a big positive aspect of the performance."

The Irish coach has also watched a video of the England-Scotland game.

"In general terms, I thought they (England) started very powerfully, took a couple of chances before falling away. They are a strong outfit. Our match with them will be a good indication of how far we have come in the last 12 months.

"Last year they blew us away physically in the first 20-25 minutes. The match was over by halftime. It will be interesting to see how much we have improved."

Gatland will take in the All-Ireland League match between Terenure College and Galwegians this weekend to watch Miller, Dempsey and Eric Elwood, the latter because he has not seen him play that often this season. Philip Danaher will attend the Blackrock College-Buccaneers match while Donal Lenihan makes the short journey to Temple Hill where Cork Constitution meet St Mary's College.

The Ireland A side shows wholesale changes from that which lost heavily to Wales A in Ebbw Vale. Gordon D'Arcy (hamstring) and Reggie Corrigan (knee) are out through injury, while Darragh O'Mahony, Barry Everitt, Guy Easterby, Mark Blair, Alan Quinlan and David Wallace have been dropped.

Simon Mason is chosen at full back, and O'Mahoney loses out to Woods. The emphasis appears to be on a physical midfield with Mervyn Murphy included at inside centre, Killian Keane switching to out-half and Everitt demoted to the bench. The unfortunate Easterby - he was good the last day - drops to the replacements as the Irish senior team management wish to evaluate Tom Tierney's progress.

Buccaneers prop Jimmy Screene makes his debut at loose head, while Gabriel Fulcher starts alongside Gary Longwell in the second row. Blair is another unlucky casualty, albeit that Fulcher did very well when introduced during the Welsh match.

But perhaps the two players with the most legitimate grievances are Alan Quinlan and David Wallace, both of whom excelled in Ebbw Vale.

Trevor Brennan and Eddie Halvey return to join Anthony Foley in the back row.

Ireland Squad: C O'Shea (London Irish), J Bishop (London Irish), K Maggs (Bath), R Henderson (Wasps), J Bell (Dungannon), G Dempsey (Terenure), E Elwood (Galwegians), D Humphreys (Dungannon), C McGuinness (St Mary's), C Scally (UCD), P Clohessy (Young Munster), J Fitzpatrick (Dungannon), K Wood (Harlequins), R Nesdale (Newcastle), P Wallace (Saracens), P Johns (Saracens, capt), J Davidson (Castres), M Galwey (Shannon), E Miller (Terenure), D O'Cuinneagain (Sale), V Costello (St Mary's College), A Ward (Ballynahinch).

Ireland A Team: S Mason (Ballymena); J McWeeney (St Mary's), S Horgan (Lansdowne), M Murphy (Galwegians), N Woods (London Irish); K Keane (Garryowen), T Tierney (Garryowen); J Screene (Buccaneers), A Clarke (Dungannon, capt), A McKeen (Lansdowne); G Fulcher (Lansdowne), G Longwell (Ballymena); T Brennan (St Mary's), A Foley (Shannon), E Halvey (Shannon). Replacements: B Everitt (Lansdowne), P Duignan (Galwegians), G Easterby (London Scottish), D Corkery (Cork Constitution), M Blair (Ballymena), J Hayes (Shannon), F Sheahan (Cork Constitution).