Ireland A v England Saxons: It's hard to gauge the point of A internationals. Is it to monitor aspiring internationals like Barry Murphy and Rob Kearney or to keep established players like Keith Gleeson ticking over in case Eddie O'Sullivan rethinks his selection policy? The answer is a bit of both.
Irish rugby cannot be run like the English or New Zealand models as the strength in depth is non-existent in areas. There is a familiar lament about technical short-comings which makes this fixture crucial for players like Ronan McCormack, Ian Humphreys and Conor O'Loughlin to showcase their strengths.
Malcolm O'Kelly, 83 caps, was a strange selection (what more does he have to prove?) but his withdrawal yesterday due to a "chronic knee injury" allows Connacht lock David Gannon a deserved promotion to the bench with Leo Cullen slotting into the team and the captaincy.
The imminent return home of Cullen and Shane Jennings from Leicester appears to have accelerated their chances of making the World Cup squad. Making an individual impact is essentially what this game is all about. The World Cup is six months away and O'Sullivan's squad has about eight vacancies.
England are without Chris Jones who was a late call-up to the senior squad to cover for the injured Martin Corry.
The Ravenhill crowd will turn out in force to witness their four representatives and prodigal son Humphreys. They also have recent experience of the Saxons' London Irish 10-12 pairing of Shane Geraghty and Mike Catt. If these two are allowed dominate, the Irish defence will be scrutinised by Mark Cueto and rugby league convert Chev Walker.
Ireland look to have an edge up front but the outhalf battle should dictate the result. Neither are established place-kickers so expect plenty of back play.
IRELAND A: D Riordan (Connacht); T Bowe (Ulster), B Murphy (Munster), K Lewis (Leinster), R Kearney (Leinster); I Humphreys (Leicester Tigers), C O'Loughlin (Connacht); R McCormack (Leinster), F Sheahan (Munster), B Young (Ulster); T Hogan (Leinster), L Cullen (Leicester Tigers, capt); S Ferris (Ulster), K Gleeson (Leinster), R Wilson (Ulster). Replacements: B Jackman (Leinster), P Bracken (Wasps), D Gannon (Connacht), S Jennings (Leicester Tigers), K Campbell (Ulster), J Sexton (Leinster), J Hearty (Connacht).
ENGLAND SAXONS: M Brown (Harlequins); M Cueto (Sale Sharks), C Walker (Bath), M Catt (London Irish, capt), D Strettle (Harlequins); S Geraghty (London Irish), P Richards (Gloucester); T Payne (Wasps), D Hartley (Northampton), S Turner (Sale Sharks); D Schofield (Sale Sharks), A Brown (Gloucester); J Haskell (Wasps), J Scaysbrook (Bath), J Crane (Leicester). Replacements: A Titterrell (Sale Sharks), N Wood (Gloucester), B Woods (Newcastle), AN Other, R Wigglesworth (Sale Sharks), O Barkley (Bath), N Abendanon (Bath).
