Ireland coach Warren Gatland has named an experienced Combined Provinces team for the clash with South Africa at Musgrave Park next Tuesday (7.0).
The composition of the side suggests that a number of players are being rewarded for sustained excellence at provincial level, including Cork Constitution right wing John Kelly, and Dungannon scrum-half Stephen Bell.
Captain Mick Galwey will lead a pack brimming with ability and desire. Reggie Corrigan is desperate to reclaim the loosehead berth on the national side, but will find it difficult to shift a rejuvenated Peter Clohessy: opportunities like these cannot be spurned.
John Hayes and the all-Munster back row of David Corkery, Eddie Halvey and Anthony Foley all harbour lofty ambitions and will be determined to substantiate those claims. Young Connacht second row Jimmy Duffy should benefit from this special challenge.
Denis Hickie, Trevor Brennan, Derek Hegarty and Alan Quinlan were not considered because of injury. Leinster's Mike Ruddock will coach the team, with Jerry Holland as manager.
Meanwhile, the Irish management are expected to make a decision today on the availability of Russ Nesdale for Saturday's European qualifier against Romania.
Combined Provinces: C Clarke (Terenure); J Kelly (Cork Constitution), K Keane, (Garryowen), M Murphy (Galwegians), J Cunning- ham (Ballymena); B Everitt (Lansdowne), S Bell (Dungannon); R Corrigan (Lansdowne), A Clarke (Dungannon), J Hayes (Shannon), M Galwey (Shannon, capt), J Duffy (Galwegians), D Corkery (Cork Constitution), A Foley (Shannon), E Halvey (Shannon).
Replacements: P Stringer (UCC), S Horgan (Lansdowne), S Mason (Ballymena), E Byrne (St Mary's), S Byrne (Blackrock), G Longwell (Ballymena), D Wallace (Garryowen).
London Irish have been handed a reasonable draw away to second division Bristol for the fourth round of the English Cup.
But Bath, 10-times winners of the cup, were handed a tough trip to the home of the league champions Newcastle.
Andy Robinson, the Bath coach, was philosophical about the daunting task his side face. "To lift the cup you have to beat the best sides and win away from home." he said.
Newcastle will be favourites, having defeated the Avon club at Gateshead two months ago after completing a league double over them last season.
Saracens, the holders have a less demanding task at Morley.
