RUGBY/A International: Ireland will attempt to win a Triple Crown at A level for the second time in three years when they take on Scotland at Ravenhill tonight. Matt Williams, in his first season in charge, will attempt to emulate his predecessor, Declan Kidney; the latter achieved the feat in 2000.
Williams, together with his assistants Steph Nel and Mark McCall, have negotiated the hurdles of Wales and England in the opening two games, albeit in contrasting fashion. The Welsh were thrashed 55-22 in Musgrave Park first time out while Ireland had to demonstrate greater mettle to overcome England at Northampton, 25-18.
The English game was a singular triumph for the pack, who produced a towering performance on the night. They dominated their counterparts and it was from the powerful mauling and straight up driving that the visitors profited hugely. Alan Quinlan may have edged his team-mates to the man- of-the-match accolade but he was ably supported by his fellow forwards.
The half-time introduction of Bob Casey for the injured Jeremy Davidson saw the Blackrock College second row manage one of his best 40 minutes of rugby this season. Behind the scrum Neil Doak chivvied and directed the forwards, aside from providing Paul Burke with excellent service.
The latter was slow to start but then settled to the task of nudging his pack forward and crucially in a tense finale, it was his pinpoint punting that turned England around time and again; he also contributed five penalties.
There was precious little space on the pitch for either backline so the Irish backs will take pride from the fact that they contributed the game's two tries from John Kelly and Tyrone Howe. England were exclusively reliant on the boot of Leicester outhalf Andy Goode.
Kelly is promoted to the senior squad so Jason Holland comes into the centre while Casey keeps his place in the second row alongside Leo Cullen. Donnacha O'Callaghan and Jeremy Staunton have been added to the replacements.
Scotland travel to Belfast having drawn with England (6-6) and celebrated a one-point success, 30-29 over Italy at Pomezia. It took a try from full back Derrick Lee and the subsequent conversion from outhalf Gordon Ross in the sixth minute of stoppage time to secure the Scottish success. They must do without the services of two first choice backs from that game, Jon Steel and Kevin Utterson.
Williams and his management team will be looking for the same sort of grit and defensive resilience that characterised their victory over England. Several Irish players are edging every closer to the senior team. Reggie Corrigan has been excellent in recent months, while Cullen must be pushing hard and the same can be said for the entire backrow.
Victor Costello is to have a fitness test this morning and if ruled out then Alan Quinlan would move to number eight, Andy Ward to blindside and Tony McWhirter would join the replacements.
Doak is a hard working scrumhalf while the entire three-quarter line and full back Paddy Wallace will be hoping that they see more of the ball than they did at Northampton.
The Scots offer a blend of youth and experience and will provide their traditional sterling qualities of a superb rucking game, playing with enterprise and flair behind the scrum.
Ireland though worked too hard the last day to let this opportunity slip past.
Ireland A v Scotland A
Ravenhill (7.30).
IRELAND A: P Wallace (Ulster); G D'Arcy (Leinster), M Mullins (Munster), J Holland (Munster), T Howe (Ulster); P Burke (Harlequins), N Doak (Ulster); R Corrigan (Leinster, capt), P Shields (Ulster), S Best (Ulster); L Cullen (Leinster), R Casey (Leinster), A Quinlan (Munster), V Costello (Leinster), K Gleeson (Leinster). Replacements: G Hickie (Leinster), M Horan (Munster), D O'Callaghan (Munster), A Ward (Ulster), B Willis (Leinster), J Staunton (Munster), S Coulter (Ulster).
SCOTLAND A: D Lee (Edinburgh); R Kerr (Glasgow), M di Rollo (Edinburgh), C Murray (Edinburgh), C Moir (Northampton); G Ross (Edinburgh), G Burns (Edinburgh, capt); A Jacobsen (Edinburgh), S Scott (Edinburgh), G Kerr (Leeds); S Griffiths (Glasgow), I Fullarton (Sale); N Hines (Edinburgh), G Dall (Edinburgh), A Mower (Newcastle). Replacements: S Brotherstone (Newcastle), C Smith (Edinburgh), N Ross (Glasgow), D MacFadyen (Glasgow), K Sinclair (Glasgow), D Officer (Edinburgh), A Bulloch (Glasgow).
