THE Ireland selectors gathered last night to pick the team to meet France next Saturday at Lansdowne Road in the opening match of the Five Nations Championship. They did so in extraordinary circumstances.

The departure of the team coach Murray Kidd less than a fortnight before the start of the championship is most certainly not a situation conducive to the best preparation. "Inevitably losing a coach at such a time represents a disruptive element in relation to team preparation," said team manager Pat Whelan, "but we must get on with the job of preparing for the match."

The selectors had two teams to pick, for in addition to the team for the championship match, there was also an A team to be chosen for the match against the French A side at Donnybrook next Friday. The selectors will undertake a watching brief at various locations today and report to the manager by phone before the team is announced this evening. Their concerns are more likely to be about fitness rather than form.

Leaving aside the issue of the coach's departure, the background against which the team had to be selected was less than comforting. That dreadful display against Italy last Saturday must have weighed heavily on the selectors' minds. Not many players who played in that match can feel secure that they will be facing the French.

How big an influence Kidd had on selection is hard to say, and it will not be easy to discern it after the team is announced tonight. As coach, obviously he would have had the primary say in tactics. If he did not, he should have had.

Prior to the selection of the team to meet Italy, there were some of us who thought that Eric Elwood should have been named at outhalf. Indeed, I believed then that there was a compelling case for his inclusion. The match last Saturday hardens the argument for his return.

That in some ways may be hard on Paul Burke after his brilliant place kicking performance, but right now Elwood's solid qualities are badly needed. The backline needs a general. The attack's limitations has, I hope, influenced the selectors to go for Elwood.

In 1993 when the Ireland side was struggling Elwood came on the scene and did a splendid job. His form this season has been extremely good for Lansdowne, for Connacht, and for Ireland A in the win over South Africa. It was, therefore, surprising when Whelan stated the day before the match against Italy that Elwood had not been a contender for a place and had some way to go before he would be considered.

If the selectors do not go for Elwood, then David Humphreys represents another alternative to Burke. However, Elwood is the man for this match.

The attacking limitations in the backline are such that Ireland must play a game that is within the compass of the team's capabilities. They must also legislate for the defensive weaknesses exposed.

Conor O'Shea will surely stay at full back, even though Jim Staples is due to make a comeback appearance today for Harlequins. James Topping and Dominic Crotty could retain the wing positions, but Niall Woods may well have figured in the deliberations.

There is an option to move Jonathan Bell to the wing - if they select him at all. Mark McCall, so good a tackler usually, did not play well in that area against Italy. He is now ruled out by a recurrence of a thumb injury. Kurt McQuilkin and Maurice Field are options in the centre and both will tackle.

Niall Hogan may well return at scrum half after Stephen McIvor's indifferent performance. Hogan is an extremely brave and durable player. While McIvor also has those qualities, Hogan has the edge in experience. He and Elwood represent the best selections at half back bearing in mind the opposition.

The selection of the pack also presents its problems. Set piece possession came in abundance against the Italians, but the use of it was appalling. Ireland's rucking was too slow their mauling ineffective.

Nick Popplewell now looks only a shadow of the great prop he was. He is playing his rugby in the English second division where his team, Newcastle, are scoring huge points totals. That is imposing no demands on Popplewell, who has not played any representative at provincial level. His scrummaging is still good, but he is under pressure. Henry Hurley and Paul Flavin represent the alternatives, unless Gary Halpin could be tried on the loosehead side.

Keith Wood, well below his best against Italy, will remain at hooker but could surrender the captaincy if Hogan is recalled. Paul Wallace should retain his place. There is a strong case for the return of Paddy Johns as partner to Jeremy Davidson in the second row. Gabriel Fulcher is another who has lost form since a recent injury. Johns is also a more mobile player.

It was unfortunate that Eric Miller got a knock on his ankle early in the game against Italy for he had made a good start. His replacement, Denis McBride, is a player full of heart and courage, but if Miller is fit then he will return. It could be that the selectors might go for him at number eight in place of Anthony Foley, but I would retain Foley. Ben Cronin is more likely to play in the A match and David Corkery will retain his place.

The A side will be interesting. Obviously its composition will, in part, depend on what the selectors have done with the senior team. Scrum half Brian O'Meara, a player with a great future, played on the A side and with distinction against South Africa, but Ireland also play at under 21 level against France next Friday and O'Meara is eligible for that team. I think he will be required at a higher level next weekend and I also hope that Denis Hickie is given a run on the wing in the A team.