IRELAND loose head prop Nick Popplewell, who was unable to train at the weekend because of a slight hamstring strain, is confident he will be fit to play against England at Twickenham on Saturday.
The decision not to train was precautionary to avoid aggravating the injury. "I got it early last week, but there has been considerable improvement," Popplewell said yesterday. "I am now very confident that I will be fit to play against England." Popplewell did train last night and did some running without any discomfort.
England will make a decision on the fitness of their number eight Dean Richards tomorrow. Richards strained-knee ligaments in the win over Scotland last Saturday week and did not train with the rest of the England squad at the weekend. But, like Popplewell, Richards is also confident that be will be fit for Saturday.
The England A team to play Ireland in Richmond on Friday includes just one player new to the A representative scene: second row Chris Murphy (West Hartlepool). Murphy played on the England under 21 side that lost to Ireland in Northampton last November. So too did scrum half Andy Gomarsall.
Ireland include two players in their side who also played in that match: wing James Topping and second row Malcolm O'Kelly.
The England side includes just one full cap, wing Paul Hull (Bristol). Three of the side were on the team that defeated Ireland 21-20 in Donnybrook last season. They are centre Nick Green stock, prop Rob Hardwick and number eight Anthony Diprose, who will captain the team.
Like Ireland, who will be going for a Triple Crown at this level, England go into the match unbeaten. They do not meet Wakes or Scotland at A level, and consequently cannot win a Triple Crown. England defeated Western Samoa, 55-0; France 25-15; New South Wales 24-22 and, the week before last, Italy 22-19.
Tonight at Anglesea Road Old Wesley take on Greystones in the final of the Smithwick's Old Belvedere Floodlit Cup and that match could provide a decider in the very best traditions of this fine competition.
Old Wesley are the holders and unquestionably floodlit specialists. They contest the decider for the seventh time tonight and have won the competition on three occasions. Greystones will be contesting the final for the second time and won the title in 1991.
On their way to the final Old Wesley beat Dublin University, St Mary's College, and Clontarf Greystones defeated Skerries, Old Belvedere and DLSP.
While old Wesley will be without their international prop Henry Hurley, who is a replacement for Ireland next Saturday, Chris Pim returns to the side having missed the semi-final win over Clontarf last Tuesday night as he was playing for the Barbarians the following day.
The other back row berths will be decreed by fitness tests. Either Jim Canning, injured in the semi-final, or Robbie Love, injured last Saturday, will be on the open side, while the number eight berth rests between Mark Wilson and Shane Gill.
