Eddie’s options are limited

IN spite of Saturday’s defeat by France in Paris, all the indications last night were that Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan will keep changes to a minimum for Sunday’s pivotal Six Nations game against Wales at Lansdowne Road.

The squad, augmented by a number of fringe players like Gavin Duffy, Rob Henderson, John Kelly, Gary Longwell and Neil McMillen, are back in camp at City West and trained yesterday at Naas RFC.

Prop Marcus Horan, who wasn't available for the French game, was present but unable to take a full part because of his continuing back problem. Horan is confident of regaining fitness, but it is most unlikely O'Sullivan will take any chances and Reggie Corrigan should remain at loose head with Simon Best again on the bench.

However, the Belfast Harlequin doesn't appear to be too highly rated by the management and is unlikely to get the call unless injury intervenes during Sunday's game. Ireland are severely limited for front-row options although the good news is that John Hayes did some physical work yesterday and is quickly recovering from the bruised shin he picked up in Paris.

The big decision up front is whether Frankie Sheahan who made an impact as a second half replacement against France will start this time ahead of Shane Byrne.

Another Cork Con man, Donncha O'Callaghan, also played himself into pole position as Paul O'Connell's second-row partner when coming in after a quiet opening hour by Malcolm O'Kelly.

The back-row may well be unchanged, especially as David Wallace hasn't been called up and another challenger for Keith Gleeson's number seven shirt, Johnny O'Connor of Wasps, is now a likely long-term injury victim with a badly damaged achilles tendon.

There is a body of opinion that supports a recall for Victor Costello in place of either Anthony Foley or Simon Easterby. However, from my perspective both would be unlucky not to retain O'Sullivan's support.

If Brian O'Driscoll is fit again he will regain the number 13 jersey and the captaincy from O'Connell.

That would mean Gordon D'Arcy switching to full-back in place of Girvan Dempsey or to the left wing instead of Tyrone Howe. If O'Driscoll doesn't make it, the backs should remain unchanged when the side is announced at lunch time tomorrow.

Irish supporters just have to accept we don't have the required quality to replace the likes of O'Driscoll, Geordan Murphy and Denis Hickie.

For his part, D'Arcy is philosophical about the prospect of losing his place for the Wales game despite being one of the stars against France.

The Leinster centre went close to scoring early in the match and set up Howe's 70th-minute touchdown with a superb off-load.

Strong, quick off the mark and elusive in the tackle, D'Arcy proved the ideal replacement for Brian O'Driscoll and marked his first international start in fine style.

But with O'Driscoll nearing full fitness, D'Arcy could find himself relegated to the bench against Wales.

And although O'Sullivan is sure to try and accommodate the 24-year-old back somewhere in his starting line-up either at wing or full-back D'Arcy is bracing himself for the worst.

"Brian is the star and captain of the squad. I've been filling in for him at Leinster and on Saturday I did the same job for Eddie with Ireland," he said after finishing as the game's leading ball-carrier.

"When Brian comes back and I'm forced to drop to the bench, or even if I'm not selected in the final 22-man squad, it's not the easiest pill to swallow. But I will just have to get on with it.

"The possibility of me playing in another position is down to Eddie. I've been around long enough to know that if I don't get picked, it's purely selection. If it doesn't go my way then I'll go back to Leinster and hopefully help them to a few victories."