Rugby Under-21 World Cup/Ireland v England: Having already made sure of a top-six place in the 2006 World Cup in France, tomorrow afternoon in Cournon, Ireland's under-21s have the opportunity not only to put one over on last season's Grand Slam winners England but also to secure their best finish in the competition.

Ireland will almost certainly start as favourites when the sides meet in the fifth-place play-off at Stade Couturier. Victory over Argentina on Wednesday in Vichy provided coach Mark McDermott with further confirmation that his side, despite a disappointing return in the Six Nations, are heading in the right direction.

Having discovered the necessary edge that was missing in the regular season, the side have put behind them the early defeats at the hands of France and Argentina. This has been a competition in which Irish rugby has made others sit up and take note.

"I'm pleased with the manner in which we've cut out the mistakes that cost us so badly in the opening games and I'm delighted we keep on showing the level of bottle that was missing in the Six Nations," said McDermott.

"All in all, I'm happy with what we've achieved so far, but will be a lot happier if we beat England and take fifth place."

England, though they scored 31 unanswered points in their final pool game against Scotland last weekend, have, to say the least, been disappointing. Despite boasting a glut of individuals with first-class experience in the Zurich Premiership - Ryan Lamb, Toby Flood, Anthony Allen, Danny Care and Ben Foden, to name but five - they have been predictable and heavily reliant on their bulk in the front five.

However, as a significantly weakened Wales side proved in Wednesday's play-off game in Vichy, they are particularly susceptible to a quick, rucking, wide contest, which has been Ireland's strength over the past two weeks.

Against Argentina on Wednesday, Ireland were outstanding in that area, although the plaudits, initially, went to the likes of Michael Essex and David Pollock, whose dominance at the breakdown was the key feature.

South Africa face France in the final and New Zealand face Australia in the play-off for third and fourth places.

IRELAND (Probable): F Carr; I Hanly, T Gleeson, F McFadden, M Williams; K Hallett, M D'Arcy; D Hurley, S Cronin, D Ryan; D McGowan, D Toner; M Essex, D Pollock (capt), S O'Brien. Replacements: S Philpott, C Black, D Touhy, D Laffan, D Williams, J Sexton, D Cave.