International/Ireland v Pacific Islands:Okay, a few gambles were required here but this team selection defies logic. Far more questions than answers remain. Ireland are going to win by some distance so it should be about putting pressure on certain players ahead of the Six Nations. It should be about preparing for the worst-case scenario.
The second row is the most perplexing. Retaining the top three locks teaches us nothing. What happens if one from Messrs O'Connell, O'Callaghan and O'Kelly is injured? How far has Matt McCullough progressed in 12 months? Mick O'Driscoll deserved a place on the bench, while Bob Casey or Leo Cullen should be playing international rugby.
Mal O'Kelly is Ireland's most durable international and Paul O'Connell is the best lock in the world so I understand Ireland showing the Pacific Islanders respect by starting them. But lessons could be learned by utilising a contender after, say, 60 minutes, when the victory is secure.
There is a similar problem with the back row. Jamie Heaslip and Stephen Ferris are the future of Irish rugby. No question. This is the last chance to try a genuine alternative combination in the event of the unknown occurring. Simon Easterby is a favourite of Eddie O'Sullivan but what can he tell us that we don't already know? The Neil Best and Keith Gleeson combination was worth investigating, with room for Heaslip at eight and Ferris in reserve.
In the week between France and Argentina during next year's World Cup, when injuries are practically guaranteed, it will be too late.
Credit is due for naming Paddy Wallace at outhalf. Jeremy Staunton was given an opportunity against Australia A; now Wallace can lay down his marker. If the experiment fails, expect David Humphreys to be getting a call over the summer.
I must also acknowledge the return of Shane Horgan to inside centre. It is the perfect "what if?" scenario.
Luke Fitzgerald is a precocious talent. Now, it becomes vital this young man is nurtured correctly over the coming months. The last player in this situation was Gordon D'Arcy, who, because of mismanagement, lost four years of his career after being capped against Romania during the 1999 World Cup.
Selecting a 19-year-old only sends him mixed messages. The main lesson should be to show how much work is required to become established at this level. My question is why now? Form is an obvious reply but if asking whether Fitzgerald can realistically put pressure on others ahead of France '07, the answer is probably no.
What direction will Ireland take if (touch wood) Brian O'Driscoll gets injured? Granted, D'Arcy and Andrew Trimble are outside centres adapting to different roles, but by putting Munster's Barry Murphy on the bench the Irish captain could have departed, like O'Connell, when the victory was secure.
Such a scenario is in place for John Hayes but why not go one better here and give Simon Best a start? If he is fit enough to make the 22 why not the team?
It's understandable the senior players want to be involved in this historic last game at Lansdowne Road, as we know it, but does the Irish management want to win here or in a World Cup quarter-final?
Regarding the Pacific Islanders, I have yet another question. Why now? The IRB have funded world-class coaches and high-performance experts in Tonga, Samoa and Fiji. The structures are in place, yet 10 months before the World Cup they are touring as a combined team. It's ridiculous. They should be developing as individual nations. They are severely understrength as European clubs have found ways not to release their Polynesian contingent by offering higher value contracts to those who retire from international rugby.
Until the IRB copies the Uefa blueprint by ensuring the international window does not clash with clubs fixtures, the poorer countries will continue to suffer.
I find it sad this is the last opposition to grace Lansdowne Road. Imagine a last stand against a tier-one nation with the old stand creaking as the crowd screams for a killer score at the death.
Instead, we have Pacific Islanders who find Sydney too cold at this time of year. Wait until the north wind comes lashing down from the Havelock Square end. Just like the Wallabies last week, they will wonder what God forsaken place is this.
