International news: London Wasps flanker Johnny O'Connor has been included in the Ireland match squad for the Test against South Africa at Lansdowne Road on Saturday week. The team for that game will be announced next Tuesday.
O'Connor's elevation may be partially attributable to the absence of three openside flankers, Keith Gleeson, Neil McMillan and Kieron Dawson through injury but also as a reflection on his form for Wasps both last season and since returning from an Achilles tendon injury.
Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has been monitoring his progress for some time. "He would have been in the hopper anyway but the fact that we're missing those three players means that there is less competition at this time. Denis Leamy also made a big case for inclusion."
O'Connor earned rave reviews for his performances with Wasps last season prior to tearing his Achilles tendon that ultimately saw him miss out on his club's Heineken European Cup triumph against Toulouse in the final. New England coach Andy Robinson was an ardent admirer of the young Galwayman's game and there were claimed overtures to persuade O'Connor to declare for England, which the player resisted.
O'Sullivan was well versed with his pedigree, having watched him on several occasions over the last 12 months, and the time is now opportune to introduce him into the Ireland squad. "He played well last season prior to the injury and while he took a while to get up to warp speed (this season) he's done well again (recently)."
The Irish coach confirmed that he regards Simon Easterby as a blindside flanker in an Irish context - he plays at openside for Llanelli - and therefore there seems to be a strong case that O'Connor will start against the Springboks.
Assuming that Anthony Foley is chosen at number eight and Easterby at blindside then the only other backrow in the squad is Eric Miller.
The former Lion could play at openside but for Leinster he would generally play either in the number six or eight jerseys. The supposition that O'Sullivan has decided on his team for the South Africa match at this stage is wrong according to the man in question.
"All combinations are open for discussion. I am not gilding the lily (about selection). I haven't decided on anything yet, haven't got it all figured out. I prefer to go into selection with an open mind and the best way to do that is to wait until you have to make those choices at the meeting. We'll look at all the permutations."
There are units within the team that will require discussion. The composition of the back three and the role of inside centre should provoke debate. Girvan Dempsey and Geordan Murphy could vie for full back, Shane Horgan and Murphy for the right wing and Horgan and Kevin Maggs for the inside centre berth vacated by the injured Gordon D'Arcy.
The latter is unlikely to require surgery for the groin injury he sustained against Bath. He has begun rehabilitation but there is no timescale for a possible return, the Irish team management instead monitoring his progress as the recovery work intensifies.
Ronan O'Gara and Peter Stringer seem certain to continue at halfback while Reggie Corrigan and Shane Byrne will probably join John Hayes in the front row. Paul O'Connell and Malcolm O'Kelly are the likely second row pairing, especially as Donncha O'Callaghan has only one match under his belt since recovering from a calf injury.
A backrow of Easterby, Foley and debutant O'Connor is a strong possibility, especially if Ireland are looking to take the Springboks on out wide. Obviously three victories over the November internationals is the optimum return.
South Africa have played six Tests since Ireland visited and are the reigning Tri Nations champions; they are further bolstered by half a dozen players who missed the Irish games. Against that it's end of season time for the visitors and they must meet Ireland in the latter's backyard.
O'Sullivan indicated that he would draw from the original 30 man squad when considering changes for the American international before facing Argentina.
BACKS
Girvan Dempsey (Terenure College Leinster), Guy Easterby (Blackrock College, Leinster), Denis Hickie (St Mary's College, Leinster), Shane Horgan (Lansdowne, Leinster), David Humphreys (Dungannon, Ulster), Kevin Maggs (Belfast Harlequins, Ulster), Geordan Murphy (Leicester), Brian O'Driscoll (Blackrock College, Leinster), Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution, Munster), Peter Stringer (Shannon, Munster).
FORWARDS
Shane Byrne (Blackrock College, Leinster), Reggie Corrigan (Greystones, Leinster), Simon Easterby (Llanelli), Anthony Foley (Shannon, Munster), John Hayes (Shannon, Munster), Marcus Horan (Shannon, Munster), Eric Miller (Terenure College, Leinster), Donncha O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution, Munster), Paul O'Connell (Young Munster, Munster), Johnny O'Connor (Wasps), Malcolm O'Kelly (St Mary's College, Leinster), Frankie Sheahan (Cork Constitution/Munster).
Not considered due to injury: Victor Costello (St Mary's College, Leinster) Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne, Leinster), Roger Wilson (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster) .
