It would be a major shock if Ireland were to defeat New Zealand in tonight's first semi-final of the FIRA Under-19 World Youths Championship at Bridgend.
The New Zealanders are debutantes this season in the competition but boast a formidable team, one described by neutrals as the best in the tournament by some margin. Although not a physically intimidating sight, the fluency, speed and dexterity of their two performances to date has been highly impressive.
New Zealand thrashed Canada 74-0, running in 12 tries in the last match. Ireland, in contrast have reached the semi-final in more sedate fashion beating Georgia and then Italy and in essence achieving what they set out to do prior to the start of the tournament. It is salutary to note that none of the top four seeds other than Ireland will retain their status for next year's event.
Argentina, France and Canada have all been relegated to the second tier, with England, also making their debut, dropping to the third. The likely arrival of Australia into the equation next year means that it was essential that Ireland reached the semi-finals and they have managed that goal without five first-choice players.
Coach Declan Kidney is unwilling to relinquish the title they won so superbly last year in Toulouse but acknowledges that New Zealand represent a huge obstacle. "We have achieved what the Ireland teams of the past two years have achieved at this stage and we still have two games to go. I think that if we can remove the psychological barriers of playing New Zealand, then these players can give a good account of themselves.
"The priority will be on competing initially and if we can stay in touch and get the Welsh crowd behind us, then who knows what might happen at the finish. I am trying to give the players a chance to think for themselves out on the pitch. In terms of style, if we get quick ball then we look to use it, if not then we take it up.
"Players like James Downey, Alex Cahill and Richard Flanagan have been very good in particular alongside Jeremy Staunton and Des Dillon." Leicester's Mark Meenan is another to have shown some neat touches. In the other semi-final, Wales take on South Africa with the winners of the two matches meeting in the final and the losers playing off for third and fourth place.
Ireland: M Meenan (Leicester); G Brady (Ballina), M O'Kelly (Dublin University), J Dow- ney (Belvedere College), A Cahill (Blackrock College); J Staunton (Garryowen), D Spence (QUB); R Flanagan (Bruff/St Enda's), I McKee (Old Wesley), N Treston (Blackrock College); N Breslin (Mullingar), D Danaher (London Irish); P Malone (Bruff/St Munchin's), D Dillon (UCD, capt), J O'Connor (Corinthians).
New Zealand: S Paku; J Nuliaina, S Mapasua, A Mauger, G Fasaualu; R Flutey, D Gibson; C Dermody, J Ward (capt), C Johnstone; B Mika, D Quate; S Bages, J Collins, R McCaw.
France Squad (for Five Nations Championship v Scotland in Paris, April 10th): Backs: Y Delaigue (Stade Toulousain), P Carbonneau (Brive), T Castaignede (Castres), F Comba (Stade Francais), C Dominici (Stade Francais), X Garbajosa (Stade Toulousain), P Giordani (Dax), C Laussucq (Stade Francais), T Lombard (Stade Francais), E Ntamack (Stade Toulousain); forwards: O Brouzet (Begles-Bordeaux), C Califano (Stade Toulousain), T Cleda (Pau), R Castel (Beziers), M Dal Maso (Colomiers), R Ibanez (Perpignan) capt, C Juillet (Stade Francais), T Livremont (Perpignan), C Labit (Stade Toulousain), S Marconnet (Stade Francais), F Pelous (Stade Toulousain), F Tournaire (Stade Toulousain).
