THE fact that some of the English based players did not play in the European Cup for their provinces - a contentious issue a few weeks ago - obviously did not work against them when the Ireland selectors picked the team to meet Western Samoa under lights at Lansdowne Road on Tuesday week and the A team to meet the Junior Springboks at Donnybrook the same afternoon.

The senior side includes two new caps, the London Irish centre Robert Henderson, one of the players who opted not to play in the European Cup, and the Ballymena wing James Topping whose selection is compatible with the form he has shown for Ulster this season.

It is a telling commentary on the current professional era that only two players on the team are based with Irish clubs, a situation without precedent in the history of the game.

Topping, who is 21, has played for Ireland at schools, under 21 and A levels. "I am absolutely delighted," he said. "With Simon Geoghegan out, I felt I had a chance but in no way felt in any way complacent or really confident I would make it. There are a lot of good wings about and you always have doubts until you are actually chosen. Things have gone well for me this season.

Henderson is 24 and a student at St Mary's College, Twickenham. Born in England, he played initially with Kingston before joining London Irish in 1992 and was capped for Ireland at under 21 and A levels. He has also played for the Exiles in the Interprovincial Championship. His Irish qualifications come from his mother Elizabeth (nee Roche), who comes from just outside Enniscorthy.

I honestly did not expect to get in, especially not having played in the European Cup for Munster," said Henderson yesterday. "I was deeply depressed when I woke this morning after our defeat by Leicester last night, but after hearing of my selection for Ireland, my feelings now are of total elation words just cannot express how I feel. I would love to have played for Munster in the European Cup, but the circumstances were very difficult.

"I wanted to win a place on the Ireland side more than anything else. It the best day of my life."

The team will be captained by scrum half Niall Hogan, who last week regained his place on the Leinster side, and he has held off the challenge of Stephen McIvor, of Garryowen and Munster, who is named in the replacements.

The side is not without its debatable elements. In that regard the selection of Henderson ahead of Mark McCall is one and to an even greater extent is the failure of Mick Galwey to win a place. Galwey has played the best rugby of his career this season and has been an inspirational captain of Munster.

The manager of the Ireland team Pat Whelan said that both the centre and second row were areas of considerable debate. Galwey has been named in the replacements and McCall at centre in the A team.

"Mick Galwey is very unlucky, said Whelan. "But we are especially well off for second row forwards and all four in contention - Gabriel Fulcher, Galwey, Jeremy Davidson and, Paddy Johns have been playing very well."

The selectors have opted for a combination of Davidson and Fulcher and have named Johns at number eight. "We selected Johns in that position because he has more recent and greater experience of it than Galwey," said Whelan. Johns has won 18 of his 28 caps in the back row.

The naming of Johns at number eight means that there is no place for Victor Costello, who held down the berth last season. "Victor has not been playing very well recently and his activity rate in defence is not good enough," said Whelan.

Nor has Costello been named in the A side as Ben Cronin, who has shown a welcome return to form with Munster, gets the number eight position. Costello has been named among the replacements.

I must admit to some disappointment at McCall's omission. He has been in top form for Ulster and although he damaged a shoulder a few weeks ago, he made an auspicious return against Neath last Saturday. He has been included in the A side. Henderson, however, was always a leading contender and has a worthy pedigree.

The team shows four changes from the side that played England in the final championship match of last season. Three of the changes are in a realigned three quarter line. Richard Wallace, who wins his 25th cap, replaces Simon Geogheghan, who is recovering from a toe operation, on the right wing and Topping comes in for Niall Woods on the left. Henderson displaces Maurice Field in the centre. The only change in the pack is the inclusion of Johns at number eight - and Johns is a player who has never let Ireland down.

Both Topping and Henderson played for the Irish XV in the Peace International against the Barbarians last May and the back division that lined out in that match is exactly the same as that chosen against Western Samoa. But there are four alterations in the pack. Nick Popplewell, as anticipated, returns to win his 40th cap at loose head prop, displacing Henry Hurley; Paul Wallace takes over at tight head from Angus McKeen; and David Corkery, injured when the Peace International took place, is at blind side flank for Eddie Halvey, who was not considered because of injury.

Mark McDermott is named as the reserve hooker on the senior side and Keith Wood is on the A team. Wood last played for Ireland against Japan in the World Cup in 1994. He was out of action all last season after a shoulder operation but has played very well for Harlequins this term. He is not a member of the Ireland squad and obviously the selectors want further evidence of fitness and form. They have retained Allan Clarke at hooker and Clarke has played well for Ireland.

The reserve hooker on the A side is a real "springer" as only Ireland selectors can produce. He is Ross Nesdale, a New Zealander who plays, for Newcastle. He has Irish qualifications. But on what basis he is chosen only the selectors know. Whelan has seen him play for Newcastle.

Eric Miller has been chosen on the open side flank on the A side but must prove his fitness as must former Ireland prop Gary Halpin, who is a reserve on the A team. The half backs are Killian Keane and development player Brian O'Meara, with Eric Elwood and Andy Matchett named in the replacements.

A surprising selection at second row in the A team is Shane Leahy. But he has played well for Connacht and is a good prospect.

Former Ireland captain Jim Staples has failed to get any recognition.