A DECISION on whether Simon Geoghegan will be fit to play for Ireland against France in the International Championship in Paris on Saturday will be announced by the team manager Pat Whelan this morning. Geoghegan has been under intensive treatment for a hamstring injury.

Geoghegan took no part in the Ireland training sessions last weekend and his chances of being fit to play on the right wing have been rated extremely slim throughout the week.

Whelan was not prepared to offer any prediction to lift confidence about Geoghegan's chances yesterday. But he did ask the player to travel to Dublin from his London home last night to join the rest of the Ireland side.

Whelan had said earlier in the week that Geoghegan would not come to Dublin unless he felt he had a chance of playing in the match. But the manager said yesterday: "I asked the player to travel and be examined by Ireland physiotherapist John Martin." That examination took place last night, but no announcement on Geoghegan's availability will be made until this morning.

The fact that Geoghegan was then asked to travel could indicate that his chances are better than generally assumed or perhaps there is bit of psychology coming into play. Whelan has had many a telling lesson in that in the hard Munster school of rugby where he served for so long. Nor are the French adverse to it in relation to injured players. All should be revealed this morning when the Ireland team trains at Lansdowne Road.

If Geoghegan is ruled out, his place will be taken by Richard Wallace. Wallace will, in any case, travel to Paris as cover even if Geoghegan is rated fit enough to play.

The French, meanwhile, were confident yesterday that centre Thierry Lacroix will play. He has been under treatment for a groin strain and played only SO minutes for his club, Dax, in a championship match last weekend. Lacroix should be able to give an accurate assessment of his ailment, he is a physiotherapist by profession.