A INTERNATIONAL: Ireland chase a Grand Slam at A international level, a feat never achieved before, when they tackle France at La Roche sur Yon this evening.
There are four changes from the side that defeated Italy last time out at Donnybrook. Tyrone Howe, initially selected on the A team, has been called up to the senior squad as cover for Denis Hickie. It means that Gordon D'Arcy is reinstated on the right wing with Anthony Horgan playing on the left. Justin Bishop is named among the replacements.
Harlequins outhalf Paul Burke cried off the team yesterday afternoon through injury and is replaced by London Irish's Barry Everitt, the latter in superb form with the boot this season at club level. Up front there are three changes, Frankie Sheahan, Tony McWhirter and Andy Ward replacing Gavin Hickie, Alan Quinlan and Keith Gleeson.
Hickie is injured as is Quinlan while Gleeson has been promoted to the senior squad because of Eric Miller's concussion. It's good to see Connacht's Johnny O'Connor back at representative level, albeit on the bench.
Ireland have overcome every obstacle to date, some more formidable than others. Wales were run ragged in Cork, while Scotland were equally brittle. England offered a true test at Northampton but Ireland passed with flying colours, enjoying the satisfaction of scoring two tries to nil, through John Kelly and Tyrone Howe.
England never looked like breaching a resilient and organised Irish defence. Following a lacklustre first-half display against Italy, the Irish team discovered their rhythm to win in a facile manner and guarantee the opportunity to make history in France.
The French on home soil have traditionally represented the immovable object as far as Ireland teams are concerned but Reggie Corrigan's men will not want to let this opportunity slip. Sheahan will bring his experience to the front row, Leo Cullen and Bob Casey are in the good form while Tony McWhirter and Andy Ward make it a very physically strong backrow.
The platform and quality of the ball that the Irish pack can deliver will go a long way to determining the outcome. Mike Mullins has been in excellent form in the centre while in Anthony Horgan and Gordon D'Arcy Ireland possess two strong running wings. This match, though, is likely to be won up front and through the accuracy of Everitt with the placed ball. The visitors will need to take the lions' share of their opportunities to squeak home.
FRANCE A: R Teulet (Castres); P Elhorga (Agen), L Valbon (Bordeaux-Bègles), Y Jauzion (Colomiers), A N Other; A Péclier (Bourgoin), A Albouy (Castres); A Tolofua (Montferrand), S Bruno (Béziers), A Galasso (Montferrand); J Thion (Perpignan), D Couzinet (Agen); B Goutta (Perpignan), E Vermeulen (Montferrand, capt), S Chabal (Bourgoin). Reserves: A Gaubert (Montauban), Y Lacrouts (La Rochelle), G Moro (Colomiers), J Dieudé (Béziers), L Loustau (Perpignan), J-B Elissalde (La Rochelle), R Chanal (Montferrand).
IRELAND A: P Wallace (Ulster); G D'Arcy (Leinster), M Mullins (Munster), J Holland (Munster), A Horgan (Munster); B Everitt (London Irish), N Doak (Ulster); R Corrigan (Leinster, capt), F Sheahan (Munster), S Best (Ulster); L Cullen (Leinster), R Casey (Leinster); T McWhirter (Ulster), V Costello (Leinster), A Ward (Ulster). Replacements: J Blaney (Munster), M Horan (Munster), M O'Driscoll (Munster), J O'Connor (Connacht), B O'Meara (Leinster), J Staunton (Munster), J Bishop (London Irish).
